From the beginning of the story, we are told of Pangloss’s blind optimism. He justifies any evil occurrence that he meets, such as when Jacques drowns, he claims that the bay in which he drowns had been made just for that event. In contrast, toward the end of the book we are introduced to a new philosophy from Martin. He believes in the complete opposite of Pangloss, as he believes life is all about suffering, misery, and that everyone is fool. It is interesting to see how Candide’s inborn optimism, taught to him by Pangloss, is challenged by this opposite point of view.
Candide, throughout his trials and tribulations in the story, has mixed the two philosophies. He continues to believe in having optimism and that there is good in the world but that there is also much evil to combat as well. Through his realization of this, I believe he no longer fits the meaning of his name as he is no longer naive. The story shows either ends of the spectrum in terms of differing philosophies but I think the way that Candide eventually combined the two is what makes him, in the end, enlightened. He has knowledge and uses his own reasoning now based on his experiences, he is no longer just a blind follower of Pangloss, Candide now has his own thoughts.
