# How does Candide develop the theme of Social Class and Inequality?

> Candide by Voltaire

## Answer

Candide by Voltaire develops Social Class and Inequality across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Characters like Cunégonde and the old woman fall from high birth to servitude, while the Baron's obsession with lineage and quarterings highlights the arbitrariness and injustice of social hierarchy.

Candide's low birth (suspected illegitimate nephew) and the Baron's aristocratic pride lead to his violent expulsion for a simple kiss.

Her fall from a princess to a servant highlights the precariousness of social status and the harsh realities of inequality.

The Old Woman's advice to Cunégonde to marry the wealthy Governor despite her love for Candide underscores the power of social class and economic necessity.

## Evidence

- [i-how-candide-was-brought-up-in-a-magnificent-castle-and-how-he-was-expelled-thence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/i-how-candide-was-brought-up-in-a-magnificent-castle-and-how-he-was-expelled-thence.md): Candide's low birth (suspected illegitimate nephew) and the Baron's aristocratic pride lead to his violent expulsion for a simple kiss.
- [xi-history-of-the-old-woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xi-history-of-the-old-woman.md): Her fall from a princess to a servant highlights the precariousness of social status and the harsh realities of inequality.
- [xiii-how-candide-was-forced-away-from-his-fair-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xiii-how-candide-was-forced-away-from-his-fair-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman.md): The Old Woman's advice to Cunégonde to marry the wealthy Governor despite her love for Candide underscores the power of social class and economic necessity.
- [xiv-how-candide-and-cacambo-were-received-by-the-jesuits-of-paraguay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xiv-how-candide-and-cacambo-were-received-by-the-jesuits-of-paraguay.md): The Jesuits possess all wealth and power, while the people have nothing, illustrating extreme inequality.
- [xv-how-candide-killed-the-brother-of-his-dear-cun-gonde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xv-how-candide-killed-the-brother-of-his-dear-cun-gonde.md): The Baron's outrage at Candide's proposal to marry his sister highlights rigid class distinctions and the absurdity of noble pride.
- [xvii-arrival-of-candide-and-his-valet-at-el-dorado-and-what-they-saw-there](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xvii-arrival-of-candide-and-his-valet-at-el-dorado-and-what-they-saw-there.md): El Dorado subverts European class structures: children play with gold, innkeepers refuse payment, and all are served equally, highlighting the absurdity of European wealth obsession.
- [xviii-what-they-saw-in-the-country-of-el-dorado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xviii-what-they-saw-in-the-country-of-el-dorado.md): El Dorado is a classless society where all are priests and there are no lawsuits or prisons, highlighting the absurdity of European social hierarchies.
- [xxix-how-candide-found-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxix-how-candide-found-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-again.md): The Baron's refusal to allow his sister to marry Candide, despite Candide's rescue and Cunégonde's ugliness, underscores the persistence of class barriers.

## Links

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