1. Candide, ou l'Optimisme

2. Written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of the Enlightenment
Published in 1759 under a pseudonym
Immediately banned because of the critical views of religion and government
Very popular and cause of scandal
Adapted in a comical operetta by Leonard Bernstein in 1956

3. Candide is a humorous, adventurous, fast paced philosophical tale that attacks Liebniz’ optimism: “All is for the best in the best of possible worlds.”
It is a satire presented in a matter of fact style.
It narrates incredible adventures, on the background of real historical events such as the 7 Years War and the earthquake of Lisbon of 1755.

4. Satire - the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
Sarcasm - A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
Irony - a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is stated.
Parody - a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing
Allegory - a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.

5. Sarcastic suggests sharp taunting and ridicule that wounds: "a deserved reputation for sarcastic, acerbic and uninhibited polemics" (Burke Marshall).
Ironic implies a subtler form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely: "a man of eccentric charm, ironic humor, and—above all—profound literary genius" (Jonathan Kirsch).
Caustic means corrosive and bitingly trenchant: "The caustic jokes ... deal with such diverse matters as political assassination, talk-show hosts, medical ethics" (Frank Rich).
Satirical implies exposure, especially of vice or folly, to ridicule: "on the surface a satirical look at commercial radio, but also a study of the misuse of telecommunications" (Richard Harrington).
Sardonic is associated with scorn, derision, mockery, and often cynicism: "He was proud, sardonic, harsh to inferiority of every description" (Charlotte Brontë).

6. Characters
Candide, naïve,
Pangloss
Cunegonde
Old woman

7. Geographical settings
Westphalia, Germany

8. Institutions attacked by Voltaire

9. Chapters 1-10 in Europe: Germany, Holland, Portugal
Chapters in the Americas:
Chapters in Europe and the Ottoman Empire

10. Summary of Candide
Chapter 1 - How Candide Was Brought Up in a Magnificent Castle and How He Was Driven Thence
Chapter 2 - What Befell Candide among the Bulgarians
Chapter 3 - How Candide Escaped from the Bulgarians and What Befell Him Afterward
Chapter 4 - How Candide Found His Old Master Pangloss Again and What Happened to Him
Chapter 5 - A Tempest, a Shipwreck, an Earthquake, and What Else Befell Dr. Pangloss, Candide, and James, the Anabaptist
Chapter 6 - How the Portuguese Made a Superb Auto-De-Fe to Prevent Any Future Earthquakes, and How Candide Underwent Public Flagellation
Chapter 7 - How the Old Woman Took Care Of Candide, and How He Found the Object of His Love
Chapter 8 - Cunegund's Story
Chapter 9 - What Happened to Cunegund, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew
Chapter 10 - In What Distress Candide, Cunegund, and the Old Woman Arrive at Cadiz, and Of Their Embarkation

11. Chapter 11 - The History of the Old Woman
Chapter 12 - The Adventures of the Old Woman Continued
Chapter 13 - How Candide Was Obliged to Leave the Fair Cunegund and the Old Woman
Chapter 14 - The Reception Candide and Cacambo Met with among the Jesuits in Paraguay
Chapter 15 - How Candide Killed the Brother of His Dear Cunegund
Chapter 16 - What Happened to Our Two Travelers with Two Girls, Two Monkeys, and the Savages, Called Oreillons
Chapter 17 - Candide and His Valet Arrive in the Country of El Dorado-What They Saw There
Chapter 18 - What They Saw in the Country of El Dorado
Chapter 19 - What Happened to Them at Surinam, and How Candide Became Acquainted with Martin

12. Chapter 20 - What Befell Candide and Martin on Their Passage
Chapter 21 - Candide and Martin, While Thus Reasoning with Each Other, Draw Near to the Coast of France
Chapter 22 - What Happened to Candide and Martin in France
Chapter 23 - Candide and Martin Touch upon the English Coast-What They See There
Chapter 24 - Of Pacquette and Friar Giroflee
Chapter 25 - Candide and Martin Pay a Visit to Seignor Pococurante, a Noble Venetian
Chapter 26 - Candide and Martin Sup with Six Sharpers-Who They Were
Chapter 27 - Candide's Voyage to Constantinople
Chapter 28 - What Befell Candide, Cunegund, Pangloss, Martin, etc.
Chapter 29 - What Manner Candide Found Miss Cunegund and the Old Woman Again
Chapter 30 - Conclusion