Novel Overview

Voltaire's Candide is a mainstay of the modern literary canon (in the West, at least). It is also a famous work of satire.

 

The editors of our anthology have this to say about the story:

"Candide encapsulated the many problems that stoked Voltaire's anger and fed his satire: absolutism and religious bigotry, unnecessary bloodshed, restrictions on freedom of speech and religion, and the intolerable reality of human suffering " (371).

 

As we read the story, you will be writing a series of reading responses. Directions for doing a reading response can be found here Download here

.

If needed/desired, consult the study guide Download study guide

as you read as a way to check your understanding.