Women in Candide

Uploaded by : Essays-Now.com

A 4 page essay that discusses the role and depiction of women in Voltaire’s Candide. The word “optimism” was coined and first appeared in print in 1737 (Wood 192). It was associated with a philosophical position that, despite the existence of problems and evils in the world, God’s creation is “as good as it could be” (Wood 192) and, therefore, the society of the early eighteenth century enjoyed the “best of all possible worlds” (Voltaire 3-4). This is the concept that Voltaire satirizes in this brilliant comedy Candide. Among the many themes and aspects of European society that Voltaire mercilessly lampoons in this satire is the position women in society at that time. Bibliography lists 2 sources.