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Tenth and the Princess of Palestrina; his loyal valet turned friend Cacambo; and Martin, the
pessimistic philosopher who seems to counter the teachings and beliefs of Professor Pangloss.
All of the characters serve not only a purpose in this story, but also a purpose along Candide’s
journey. Because of the effect these characters have on Candide, his naïvete is eventually
transformed into worldliness. I will therefore attempt to reconcile this transformation within this
Voltaire classic.

To reconcile naïveté and worldliness in this story, one must understand that Candide was
indoctrinated during his youth with naïveté by Professor Pangloss, which is evident when
Voltaire writes, “The tutor Pangloss was the oracle of the household, and little Candide listened
to his lectures with all the good faith of his age and character” (355). This tutelage is akin to a
child being taught religious or philosophical ideologies and listening without prejudice to
everything they are being taught. Professor Pangloss’ statement, “There cannot possibly be an
effect without a cause” leads the reader to believe Candide is being taught the very basics of
causality (Voltaire 356). Unfortunately, when Pangloss states, “Things cannot be otherwise than
they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best
end,” Candide is being conditioned to believe that all causations result in a positive outcome
(Voltaire 356). These three excerpts provide the foundation of Candide’s naïve disposition, as
well as shape the rest of the story and his misadventures.

With additional examination of Professor Pangloss further reconciliation can be made.
The unwavering optimism Professor Pangloss exhibits at the start of the story is intended to be
satirical by Voltaire, but also comes across as comical to the average reader. This is because
most readers have enough life experience to understand that not everything that happens is for
the best, though we generally do try to find something positive in a negative or unfavorable

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