Once again, I was entertained as Voltaire sarcastically points out his own subtleness when critiquing the heads of the church (in this case a specific unidentified pope). I thought Abigail’s story was very dramatic but entertaining and its style made me remember the story in Don Quijote of the captive Christian who is caught by the Moors and who is saved by the daughter of a very powerful sheik. I thought these two stories were very similar since at point they took place in far eastern places where there were sheiks, harems, and women had even a lower role on society. Also something that connected both stories is that in both the conflict between the Moors and the Christians was exposed and affected the main characters of each story. Other relation that exists between the two stories (Abigail’s story and the Captive’s story) is that they are both frame stories. The inclusion of frame stories in the novel was also other element that made me remember Don Quijote. I thought it was horrible that poor Abigail had to witness her mother’s and all her company ladies’ death and that she was the only survivor.
I thought it was very depressing when Abigail was told she was going to be taken back to Italy and she was instead sold in Algeria where the plague was attacking and from which she was victim. Something good among all the misfortunes Abigail lived was that she was able to travel around the world and get to know it more. Although the conditions on which she traveled were not the best, she was able to see the world and learn that she wasn’t the only unfortunate one, and thus adopt a broader view on life and on its course. I thought it was horrible when they had to tare one of their buttocks for feeding themselves and even worse when the only man who had helped them to get better and cure from their wounds took advantage of Abigail. Despite the misfortunes of Abigail I believed really that there would be hope as Abigail joined them and as they traveled to the new world.
I thought it was very depressing when Abigail was told she was going to be taken back to Italy and she was instead sold in Algeria where the plague was attacking and from which she was victim. Something good among all the misfortunes Abigail lived was that she was able to travel around the world and get to know it more. Although the conditions on which she traveled were not the best, she was able to see the world and learn that she wasn’t the only unfortunate one, and thus adopt a broader view on life and on its course. I thought it was horrible when they had to tare one of their buttocks for feeding themselves and even worse when the only man who had helped them to get better and cure from their wounds took advantage of Abigail. Despite the misfortunes of Abigail I believed really that there would be hope as Abigail joined them and as they traveled to the new world.
I thought it was very inhuman how Lady Cunégonde considered marrying the Governor betraying Candide after all he had done for her. Apart from the crudity of Abigail’s advice, I found it very funny when she said “… with the most handsome o moustaches.”(pg59) What did the moustaches have to do with anything? That was just a lame compliment which by the way I thought very funny. Maybe this was just a critique of Voltaire against women and their disloyalty and interest in welfare, power and richness (which hasn’t changed much up to day). When it was narrated that the secret police was on board I couldn’t believe how the police could have followed them so far. I thought it was horrible how Lady Cunégonde betrayed Candide by protecting herself under her engagement with the Governor.
Even in the new world, Candide was misfortunate and he would never be able to have Lady Cunégonde. I founded hilarious when Cacambo said “The reverend fathers own the whole lot, and the people own nothing: that’s what I call a masterpiece of reason and justice. I don’t think I have ever seen such godlike creatures as the reverend fathers. They fight the Kings of Spain and Portugal over here and give them absolution in Europe. In this country they kill Spaniards, and in Madrid they send them to Heaven.”(pg62) In this quote of the novel it is very evident the sarcastic tone Voltaire uses criticizing the colonial system and its lack of honesty and truth. I also found it very funny when they were treated very rudely until they told that they were actually German and from that moment on they were treated very well. I couldn’t believe that Lady Cunégonde’s brother was really alive and that he was in a powerful position in the new world. I thought for a moment that they could fight back the Governor and rescue Lady Cunégonde so that she and Candide could marry together and live happily ever after.
Even in the new world, Candide was misfortunate and he would never be able to have Lady Cunégonde. I founded hilarious when Cacambo said “The reverend fathers own the whole lot, and the people own nothing: that’s what I call a masterpiece of reason and justice. I don’t think I have ever seen such godlike creatures as the reverend fathers. They fight the Kings of Spain and Portugal over here and give them absolution in Europe. In this country they kill Spaniards, and in Madrid they send them to Heaven.”(pg62) In this quote of the novel it is very evident the sarcastic tone Voltaire uses criticizing the colonial system and its lack of honesty and truth. I also found it very funny when they were treated very rudely until they told that they were actually German and from that moment on they were treated very well. I couldn’t believe that Lady Cunégonde’s brother was really alive and that he was in a powerful position in the new world. I thought for a moment that they could fight back the Governor and rescue Lady Cunégonde so that she and Candide could marry together and live happily ever after.
I was surprised as Candid killed the Colonel and all his hopes for rescuing Lady Cunégonde and marrying her ever. I thought it was really funny how Candid said that although he was the best tempered man in the world he had already killed three men. I couldn’t believe that Candide had already ruined his opportunity of living well and in tranquility in the new world with the Colonel. On the other hand, I could not believe that he was already being chased by people from the new world.
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