# Martin — Candide character guide

> Martin in Candide by Voltaire.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Martin

**First appearance:** 0020-xix-what-happened-to-them-at-surinam-and-how-candide-got-acquainted-with-martin

## Who they are

A brooding scholar and self-declared Manichean who joins Candide's voyage, insisting that God has abandoned this globe to a malignant being—and daring anyone to prove otherwise.

## Relationships

### [Candide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/candide)

_friendship_

Martin becomes Candide's pessimistic philosophical foil and traveling companion, engaging in debates about the nature of good and evil.

### [Candide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/candide)

_friendship_

Martin becomes Candide's pessimistic philosophical foil and traveling companion, engaging in debates about the nature of good and evil.

### [Candide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/candide)

_friendship_

Martin becomes Candide's pessimistic philosophical foil and traveling companion, engaging in debates about the nature of good and evil.

## In the story

### [Candide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/candide)

A pessimistic scholar who travels with Candide, arguing that the world is filled with evil and suffering, and that human nature is fundamentally corrupt.

### [Chapter XIX: What Happened to Them at Surinam and How Candide Got Acquainted with Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xix-what-happened-to-them-at-surinam-and-how-candide-got-acquainted-with-martin)

A poor philosopher chosen by Candide as the most discontented man; he has suffered many misfortunes including being robbed by his wife, beaten by his son, and persecuted by preachers.

### [XX: What Happened at Sea to Candide and Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xx-what-happened-at-sea-to-candide-and-martin)

The old philosopher who declares himself a Manichean, arguing that the world is abandoned to a malignant being; he has no hope and disputes with Candide for fifteen days.

### [Chapter XXI: Candide and Martin, Reasoning, Draw Near the Coast of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxi-candide-and-martin-reasoning-draw-near-the-coast-of-france)

Martin shares his cynical experiences in France, including being robbed and imprisoned. He argues that human nature is fixed and evil, comparing men to hawks that always eat pigeons.

### [XXII: What Happened in France to Candide and Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxii-what-happened-in-france-to-candide-and-martin)

Accompanies Candide in Paris, criticizes the city's customs, and helps him escape the arrest by advising bribery.

### [XXIII: Candide and Martin Touched Upon the Coast of England, and What They Saw There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxiii-candide-and-martin-touched-upon-the-coast-of-england-and-what-they-saw-there)

Provides a cynical perspective on England and the war with France.

### [Of Paquette and Friar Giroflée](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxiv-of-paquette-and-friar-girofl-e)

Argues that happiness is rare; wins a wager against Candide about the apparent happiness of Paquette and the friar.

### [XXV: The Visit to Lord Pococurante, a Noble Venetian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxv-the-visit-to-lord-pococurante-a-noble-venetian)

Accompanies Candide; agrees with many of Pococurante's criticisms and points out that the nobleman's disgust with everything reveals his unhappiness.

### [Of a Supper Which Candide and Martin Took with Six Strangers, and Who They Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxvi-of-a-supper-which-candide-and-martin-took-with-six-strangers-and-who-they-were)

Sits with Candide at supper, observes the scene unconcernedly.

### [Chapter XXVII: Candide's Voyage to Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxvii-candide-s-voyage-to-constantinople)

Accompanies Candide and offers skeptical commentary on the misfortunes of kings and mankind.

### [Chapter XXIX: How Candide Found Cunégonde and the Old Woman Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxix-how-candide-found-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-again)

Present, relating adventures and reasoning on events.

### [XXX: The Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxx-the-conclusion)

Concludes man is born to distracting inquietude or lethargic disgust; advocates working without disputing.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/martin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters