A main theme during our class conversation today was the desensitization of Voltaire's cast of characters to the awful atrocities committed during the course of the novel. Murders and rapes are seen as just a part of life, mere facts that can be dealt with. Voltaire's true commentary of these atrocities does not come full circle until Candide's discovery of the city of Eldorado. During the two chapters that Cacambo and Candide spend in Eldorado, Voltaire allows the reader to realize the ridiculousness of European terror as it is placed against the tranquil rationality of this utopia. Voltaire communicates some of his social and governmental ideals to the reader during these chapters.
In terms of governance in Eldorado, Voltaire speaks of his constitutional ideals, "'they ordained, with the consent of the people" (46). The idea of a government that rules with the consent of the people was an overarching theme of the Enlightenment period. Voltaire expands on this commentary when addressing the royalty of Eldorado. When Candide is introduced to the King of the city in chapter 18, he asks what kind of absurd gesture of subservience he will have to participate in to demonstrate inferiority; the guide responds "'The custom... is to hug the King and kiss him on both cheeks.' Candide and Cacambo accordingly threw their arms around the neck of His Majesty, who received them with every grace, and invited them politely to supper" (48). Candide and Cacambo proceed to have a fantastic time with the royals from Eldorado as they are treated as welcome guests. Voltaire uses this example to poke at the crookedness of the European royal political system both in the book and the real world. Eldorado is the true ideal system. Unfortunately, Candide abandons this city because of the worldly greed he finds there in the form of gold and precious stones. Thus outer greed infiltrates the untouchable Eldorado in the form of Candide and Cacambo. Perhaps this is Voltaire's way of hinting at the profound power of worldly evil.
In terms of governance in Eldorado, Voltaire speaks of his constitutional ideals, "'they ordained, with the consent of the people" (46). The idea of a government that rules with the consent of the people was an overarching theme of the Enlightenment period. Voltaire expands on this commentary when addressing the royalty of Eldorado. When Candide is introduced to the King of the city in chapter 18, he asks what kind of absurd gesture of subservience he will have to participate in to demonstrate inferiority; the guide responds "'The custom... is to hug the King and kiss him on both cheeks.' Candide and Cacambo accordingly threw their arms around the neck of His Majesty, who received them with every grace, and invited them politely to supper" (48). Candide and Cacambo proceed to have a fantastic time with the royals from Eldorado as they are treated as welcome guests. Voltaire uses this example to poke at the crookedness of the European royal political system both in the book and the real world. Eldorado is the true ideal system. Unfortunately, Candide abandons this city because of the worldly greed he finds there in the form of gold and precious stones. Thus outer greed infiltrates the untouchable Eldorado in the form of Candide and Cacambo. Perhaps this is Voltaire's way of hinting at the profound power of worldly evil.
While I don't doubt that Voltaire would be quick to criticize royals, I don't think that's what's happening in El Dorado. I think the fact that Candide and his companions are so easily accepted and have a wonderful feast is meant to be an example of how royals should treat their subjects, or other common people. I don't see it as satire so much as an instruction manual.
ReplyDeleteSatire is a way of ridiculing an unliked institution. The royals of El Dorado are satirical devices that are used to overtly criticize the faults of royal institutions that exist in reality. That's what I was trying to portray.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I actually got the opposite interpretation from the El Dorado segment of the story. Rather than seeing Candide's intrusion as a sign that evil will always invade the pure, I saw the fact that he left as symbolizing the fact that man simply cannot survive in a pure utopia; it's simply not in his nature. Both interpretations have valid points though, so it's good that there's more than one way to look at it!
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