It is appropriate therefore for him to conclude that everyone ought to cultivate their gardens, which they could control. Therefore, the concluding remark he makes is based on his experiences that are depicted in the novel. However, when he settles down and concentrates all his efforts in his farm, he achieves happiness. In fact, he did not have control over all these things he yearned. Social status could not assure him of contentment. Besides, he learns that materialism could guarantee him neither happiness nor success. As such, they could only cultivate their garden, which is synonymous to conclusion that they can only control what they have.Ĭandide on the other hand finds out that he could not be happy in Venice since he could not be with Cunegonde – his love. Indeed, they already had their pieces within them. The novel takes the Protagonist Candide on a series of adventures that questions the accepted theory of Philosophical Optimism during the 18th century. This is contrary to their initial belief that they could find the pieces and complete the puzzle. Candide by Voltaire is one of the most well-known satirical pieces written. In consideration of the journeys that the characters embark in search of pieces of a puzzle, they appreciate that the greatest puzzle lies in their souls. Candide By Voltaire, translated by John Butt Penguin Classics, 1947 Chapter 1: How Candide was brought up in a magnificent castle, and how he was expelled thence.

On the one hand, the characters realize that they only have their lives to control and it becomes apparent that they could attempt to make the best out of it. When Candide realizes that one can control what they have in pursuit of happiness, he makes the comment to justify the rationale of their sufferance during their odysseys. Indeed, they suppose that making choices in life only signify their role in the fate’s ‘master plan’. They attribute their failure to fate where they assume that everything occurs due to fate and their actions are devoid of free will.

Candide novel