Candide Case

Throughout the entire novel, Candide found himself faced up against numerous challenges and hardships. These challenges forced him into positions out of his control. While on his travels, strangers of all different walks of life allowed him into their lives, however something always seemed to go wrong forcing Candide to be on the move again.

As the story continued, Candide traveled through a tumultuous journey and never seemed to be able to get ahead. Voltaire ends this novel with a closing scene of Candide working in the garden. The main reason for Voltaire to end his novel in this way is because the garden was a symbol of happiness for Candide. In his garden, Candide has complete control; he is able to grow crops and has the ability to determine the outcome of them. This situation is the opposite of what his life had been up to this point. Candide was able to see the fruits of his labor in this garden. The garden serves as a sacred spot for Candide, he is able to feel completely removed from everything else including his problems. In order for Candide to find happiness he had to remove himself from society. This sacred garden served as sort of a "Garden of Eden" for Candide.

One part of the novel that sticks out to me is a quote from Dr. Pangloss, who provided Candide with guidance throughout the novel. Pangloss' idea that "Men….must have somewhat altered the course of nature; for they were not born wolves, yet they have become wolves" (page 31) provides some encouragement for Candide along his journey. The garden was where Candide was able to escape the past pain and suffering and a place to provide closure on his old life as he embarks on his new lifestyle removed from society.