Hey AI, help me outline Candide by Voltaire

Voltaire’s Candide is a satirical novella first published in 1759 that critiques the optimistic philosophy that all is for the best in this “best of all possible worlds.” This critique is delivered through the adventures of Candide, who endures a series of misfortunes.

Protagonist’s Origin Scene: Candide is living in the castle of the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. He is taught by Pangloss, the tutor, to believe that “all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” When he’s caught kissing the baron’s daughter Cunégonde, he’s expelled from the castle, setting off a series of misadventures.

Worldview: Candide believes, as taught by Pangloss, that everything happens for a reason and that everything is for the best, even in the face of misfortune.

Primary Desire: Candide’s primary desire is to be reunited with Cunégonde and to live a peaceful life.

Personal Significance of the Desire: Candide’s love for Cunégonde and his optimistic worldview compel him to believe that he will ultimately find happiness with her.

Misbelief: The misbelief is Pangloss’s overly optimistic philosophy that all is for the best, regardless of the evident hardships and evils of the world.

Unavoidable External Force: Candide’s expulsion from the castle forces him into the world where he has no choice but to navigate the myriad misfortunes that befall him. These challenges consistently test Pangloss’s philosophy.

How the Story Challenges or Reshapes the Misbelief: Through a series of disasters, from wars to natural disasters to personal betrayals, Candide’s belief in Pangloss’s philosophy is continuously tested. Ultimately, by the end of the novel, after reuniting with Cunégonde and witnessing the many miseries of the world, Candide comes to the realization that perhaps it is better to “cultivate one’s own garden,” meaning one should focus on personal action and responsibility rather than trying to interpret the world through an overly simplistic lens.

Novel Blueprint for Candide:

(For brevity, this is an abbreviated blueprint of the novel and not comprehensive):

Scene: Candide’s Expulsion

• Alpha point: Candide’s life in the castle and his love for Cunégonde
• Pangloss subplot: Introduction to Pangloss’s philosophy
• What happens: Candide is caught kissing Cunégonde and is thrown out of the castle.
• Why it matters: Sets the stage for Candide’s journey and challenges to his worldview.
• Consequence: Candide is forced into the world, beginning his many misadventures.
• Realization: The world outside the castle is far harsher and more complicated than he believed.
• And so?: Candide embarks on his journey, holding onto the belief that everything will turn out for the best.

Scene: The “AHA!” moment (Towards the end)

• Alpha point: Candide’s constant quest for meaning in all the misfortunes.
• Pangloss and Cunégonde subplot: Reunion with both, with Cunégonde being not as beautiful and Pangloss still holding onto his philosophy despite his hardships.
• What happens: After settling down, a conversation with a Turkish farmer leads Candide to a realization.
• Why it matters: It’s the culmination of all his experiences and challenges to his worldview.
• Consequence: Candide decides to let go of Pangloss’s overarching philosophy.
• Realization: “We must cultivate our garden.” One must work and make the best of their situation, not just passively assume everything is for a predetermined best.
• And so?: Candide, Cunégonde, Pangloss, and friends settle down to cultivate their garden, focusing on tangible action over philosophical debate.

Voltaire’s novella is a rich tapestry of scenes, characters, and satirical moments. The above is a simplified overview and does not capture the full complexity of the story.

What might the author’s underlying motivations or purposes be for writing the novel?

Based on the context of “Candide” by Voltaire, if we operate on the assumption that the author intended to change how readers think by changing how they feel, the most likely change Voltaire would have intended is:

To challenge and dislodge blind, unwarranted optimism and passive acceptance of fate by immersing readers in the repeated misfortunes and disillusionments of Candide, thereby evoking emotions of skepticism, frustration, and enlightenment, ultimately guiding readers towards the belief in the importance of personal agency, pragmatism, and tangible action in the face of adversity.

Through the emotional roller coaster that Candide experiences, readers are likely to feel the weight and absurdity of the philosophy that “all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” This emotional resonance makes it easier to accept the pragmatic conclusion to “cultivate one’s own garden.”