Candide · Theme
Social Class and Inequality
How Candide develops Social Class and Inequality.
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.
Where it surfaces
- How Candide Was Brought Up in a Magnificent Castle, and How He Was Expelled Thence
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
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 Cunégonde and the Old Woman
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
The Jesuits possess all wealth and power, while the people have nothing, illustrating extreme inequality.
- XV: How Candide Killed the Brother of His Dear Cunégonde
The Baron's outrage at Candide's proposal to marry his sister highlights rigid class distinctions and the absurdity of noble pride.
- Arrival of Candide and His Valet at El Dorado, and What They Saw There
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
El Dorado is a classless society where all are priests and there are no lawsuits or prisons, highlighting the absurdity of European social hierarchies.
- Chapter XXIX: How Candide Found Cunégonde and the Old Woman Again
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.