Candide
Life is full of struggles, but it would be nonproductive if people passively accepted whatever fate had in store for them, shrugging off their personal responsibility. Voltaire believes that people should not allow themselves to be victims. Through his wit in writing, he sneers at naive, accepting types, informing us that people must work to reach their utopia. The question of faith can't be answered and can't be justified. Faith can't be forced on anyone - faith just has to be believed. Voltaire shows us the perils of existing only in a state of false happiness (Pangloss) and only in a state of hopelessness (Martin). The true reward of maintaining a state of fulfillment through faith and responsibility is achieved by Candide.
In this passage, Candide is told by Martin that mankind is seemingly unable to change his nature. Throughout his life, Candide also heard from his philosopher Pangloss that, "There is a reason for everything." I would be inclined to agree with them if, by that statement, they mean that every cause has an effect. That however, is not the case. They are ascribing the "cause" to an entity, a God, or force outside of themselves as individuals and society. This excuses us from many things. One of those things that it excuses us from is responsibility. If things cannot be other than they are, then my part, my action, was preordained and consequently I am not responsible for the effects of those actions. This excerpt is one of many that truly expresses Voltaire's theme that all people experience the turmoil of life and must overcome obstacles, both natural and man-made, with faith in order to eventually achieve happiness. Voltaire saw that the people who spoke so often of a God (who was alive and called each of us to personal responsibility) were at the same time ascribing the cause and effect of their actions to Him. Candide was the vehicle that Voltaire used to show his beliefs in free will and happiness through...
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