Candide · Character
The Old Woman
Cunégonde's weathered attendant, once a princess of Popé, whose scarred body and harrowing history make her the company's most clear-eyed witness to human misery.
supporting
First appearance: VII: How the Old Woman Took Care of Candide, and How He Found the Object He Loved
As a supporting figure in Candide, The Old Woman is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Approaches Candide after the auto-da-fé and tells him to take courage and follow her.
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In How the Portuguese Made a Beautiful Auto-Da-Fé, to Prevent Any Further Earthquakes; and How Candide Was Publicly Whipped: Approaches…
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The fuller portrait of The Old Woman sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See The Old Woman in VII: How the Old Woman Took Care of Candide, and How He Found the Object He LovedCharacter Web
12 connectionsA slice of how The Old Woman sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Candide's core companions
- Protagonist
+7 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this scene, Candide reaches his emotional and psychological peak of disillusionment when he encounters Poco…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
The Old Woman appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- How the Portuguese Made a Beautiful Auto-Da-Fé, to Prevent Any Further Earthquakes; and How Candide Was Publicly Whipped
- VII: How the Old Woman Took Care of Candide, and How He Found the Object He Loved
- VIII: The History of Cunégonde
- IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew
- X: In What Distress Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman Arrived at Cadiz; and of Their Embarkation
- XI: History of the Old Woman
- XII: The Adventures of the Old Woman Continued
- XIII: How Candide Was Forced Away from His Fair Cunégonde and the Old Woman
- +4 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for The Old Woman unlock in the free preview.
See The Old Woman in VII: How the Old Woman Took Care of Candide, and How He Found the Object He Loved