Candide's Development

"Candide" by Voltaire was published in 1759 and has been widely translated. In the novel "Candide", Candide has three mentors; Pangloss, Cacambo, and Martin. Each character having their own personal actions, individual judgment, and influence on Candide's life. Each of these three characters are very important to Candide and his development. They all have a different kind of influence on Candide and his life. They also create their own form of misery at the end of the novel.

Pangloss, as a philosopher and Candide's mentor, he is responsible for the most famous idea that: all is for the best. Pangloss is more like Candide than any of the others. He is Candide's tutor, he is positive, optimistic, and helps Candide develop these qualities in his life. The exchange between Candide and Pangloss sums him up completely. Voltaire writes, "'Well, my dear Pangloss," said Candide to him, ‘when you had been hanged, dissected, whipped, and were tugging at the oar, did you always think that everything happens for the best?' ‘I am still of my first opinion,' answers Pangloss, ‘for I am a philosopher and I cannot react'" (Voltaire 157-158). Pangloss is the one who taught Candide to be optimistic, which did not give him a legit view of love nor life. This contributes to Candide's misery at the end of the book.

Cacambo is a servant of Candide, but he becomes more of a friend and advisor after he solves a few problems for Candide. He is straightforward and honest, these are learned characteristics that helped Candide in his travels. Martin and Pangloss are ineffectual "thinkers" while Cacambo simply gets things done. They have good brains but use them for negative purposes. Candide is confident in Cacambo, which makes him a stronger person than Martin or Pangloss, who are weak. He contributes to Candide by finding Cunegonde and reuniting the two lovers.

Martin