Abusive Evidence

Abusive Evidence

They are few who can rival the satirical powers of Voltaire, especially those displayed within his masterpiece novel, "Candide". In the first two chapters of this novel, Voltaire uses his skills to satirize two main ideas: "Human will is free" and "Everything is for the best." (628, 626) In order to prove that satire is present in these chapters, one must first understand what satire is. "Satire is a literary technique in which ideas customs, behaviors, or institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society." (1448) To fully understand Voltaire's work, one must classify it as an indirect Horation satire, which utilizes the invective to lampoon its two main ideas.

Although the narrator refers to himself as "I", the exposition clearly shows that the story is indirect. (625) Indirect satire is satire expressed through a narrative in which the satiric butt is ridiculed for what they say and do. The satiric butt is introduced as Candide, "a youth whom nature had endowed with a most sweet disposition. His face was the index of his mind." (625) He grows up in the castle of the greatest baron in the land, whose marvelous baroness "weighed three hundred and fifty pounds, and consequently was a person of no small consideration." (625) Here, Voltaire provides evidence needed to show that his satire is Horation. Horation satire is comical, and undoubtedly, the idea of a woman weighing over three hundred pounds is outrageous and downright silly. Voltaire persists in this attitude and uses a litote, or understatement, in saying that she is a person of no small consideration. Compounded, these two statements clearly prove that "Candide" is a Horation satire.

As time at the castle passes, Candide learns philosophy from the baron's son, Master Pangloss, who states that " 'They who assert that everything is good do not express themselves correctly; they should say that everything is for the best.' " (626) This statement from Master Pangloss is the first of two ideas that Voltaire satirizes in his novel. Candide grows older and soon falls in love with the baron's daughter, Miss Cunegund. One day, they share a passing glance and the very next day they kiss. Unfortunately, Miss Cunegund's father chances to come by and catches them in the act. After the baron "saluted Candide with some notable kicks on the breech", Candide is forced to lave the country. (626) Here, the reader experiences the first use of the invective - abuse to the satiric butt - when Candide is beat by the baron. The first chapter ends, and the second begins as Candide flees to Bulgaria. Unfortunately, even after arrival, Candide has no idea where he is.

After he is offered free food and drink, Candide is forcibly recruited into the armed services and charged with the defense of Bulgaria. "There he made to wheel about to the right, to the left, to draw his ramrod, to return his ramrod, to present, to fire, to march, and they gave him thirty blows with a cane." (627) Again, Voltaire utilizes the invective, this time causing Candide to suffer abuse at the hands of the military. Two days pass, and Candide is no longer beaten. One morning, he takes it upon himself and his own free will to simply march straight forward, which he does for two leagues. Four other recruits