This whole story is just one big bad day for Candide. Throughout the story it’s just one thing after another, such as when he tries to save the women that were being chased by the monkeys, kills the monkeys and they wind up crying over the dead monkeys, Candide just can’t catch a break. So they continue going on down the road, and if it weren’t enough for their food to run out, but their horses die, oh but wait a canoe is there to save the day, after a while in the river Bad Luck Brian strikes again and they smash the canoe. I do have to give Candide credit for being so optimistic through this story though, going through all of this, must put a toll on someone psychologically.
Even when losing all of his money just to get his friend back, and not getting angry or upset about it is quite a good look out on life. Candide and his friend continue through to where they are headed when he becomes ill, having to stop, two doctors catch a glimpse at his last diamond. Forcing their practice on him, which only makes him more ill, Candide winds up losing the last jewel. Me personally I don’t think I could keep this outlook after going through all of this. Candide goes from being rich, having all this gold and jewels, to being poor again and having nothing and almost dies trying.
It is true that many small stories in the work seem crazy and not realistic, such as, women wept because their lovers, monkeys, were dead. It is the part of the story which makes me feel hard to understand why did the Voltaire write it? I still have no idea about it.
It seemed that Candide had a naïve view of world. He wanted to get his friend back even lost all his money. He had been cheated so many times, but the two doctors still caught a glimpse at his last diamond. Was he real stupid? In my opinion, Candide really knew the thing which he really wanted to get, even he lost all his money or suffered from both physical and mental torture. It reflected the Voltaire’s life. Nothing can stop his writing. Prison cannot stop him, political power cannot stop him. Voltaire’s life is also crazy. It is his crazy makes him so great.
Candide definitely went through some struggles along his journey. It was one thing after another with him. I agree that he was able to always keep a positive attitude and his eye on the prize (reuniting with Cunegonde). I personally do not think I would be able to have such a positive attitude after going through so many hardships. Candide always knew what he wanted and was determined to get it and that’s what kept him going.