Candide and Military Satire - Literature Essay Samples

Voltaires Candide bears the mark of a piece written during a time of reform. It is heavy with satire, poking fun at whatever issues become tangled in its storyline. The subjects tackled range from the political to the religious, and each receives its share of criticism. In many ways, it is what should be expected from an Enlightenment-era work: a criticism of the old ways. In a time of changing political, religious, and scientific beliefs, the literature produced should was often intended to reflect this flux in attitudes. Candide easily accomplishes this by criticizing class boundaries, religion, slavery, and, most importantly, the military. Through Candide, Voltaire is able to criticize numerous topics. The storys premise is set around Candide being thrown out of the Barons household for having ignored class rules and fallen in love with Miss CunÃÆ'Â ©gonde (Gordon 43). This incident sets the story in motion and makes it fairly obvious that Voltaire did not believe in the legitimacy of such class boundaries. Religion is another topic that comes under attack by Voltaire albeit in perhaps a slightly less brutally manner. A utopia is found in which religion is delegated to the people and, subsequently, there are no priests or other clergy (79); Voltaire, it seems, shunned the idea that clergymen were liaisons to God. Even the issue of slavery is mentioned when Candide stumbles upon a slave who has lost his hand and leg (82). Although the slave seems to think it is normal behavior for a master to treat a slave in such a way, Candide recoils in horror, much as Voltaire himself would likely have done (83). In addition, the military is attacked numerous times by Voltaire as being pointless or convoluted. Voltaire first criticizes the military by having Candide recruited on the sole basis of his height. Upon seeing him, a man of the military remarks, Comradethere is a well-built lad, and he is the right height too (Gordon 43). Candide is invited to d inner and asked to drink to the health of the King of the Bulgars (44). Once he does so, the men declare Thats enoughyou are now the pillar, the upholder, the defender, the hero of the Bulgars: your fortune is made and your glory assured (44). By having Candide recruited after such a menial action and chosen on such a pointless basis, Voltaire criticizes the aims of the military. Because height is not generally a factor that can inspire or deter a successful military career, Voltaire seems to be saying that the military is primarily concerned with petty, superficial matters. Further, by only asking that Candide drink to their king, the military men are accepting him without knowing his true intentions. They could care less whether he really means to be true to the king or country. By portraying the recruiters in this light, Voltaire makes the military seem more concerned with numbers and appearances than with actual causes. Voltaire continues his attack on the military by desc ribing a battle between the Bulgars and the Abars. He begins by focusing on contradictory notions; the battle is first described as splendidbrisk[and] brilliant, but contains mention of how the cannons laid low about six thousand men on each side; then the musketry removed from the best of worlds around nine or ten thousand (Gordon 45). Voltaire inspires readers to consider how the deaths of thousands of men can be both splendid and brilliant, and in doing so, to conclude that the military must truly be an awful thing. For mass death to be associated with such glorious superlatives there must be something askew, and that thing is the military. After the battle, each king [has] his forces celebrate victory with a Te Deum (46). Obviously the battle is pointless if each side celebrates victory despite such heavy casualties. Later in the story, Voltaire criticizes the Popes army in the story of the old woman. She tells of being attacked by pirates and how [their] soldiers defende d themselves like true soldiers of the Pope: they all kneeled down, threw aside their arms, and begged the pirates for absolution [at the point of death] (Gordon 61). Here, Voltaire depicts the soldiers as cowards or, at the very least, useless. When danger is apparent, they drop their weapons instead of fighting for those whom they are supposed to protect. It is possible, too, that Voltaire is criticizing the Pope in addition to the military. The soldiers seem to exemplify an attitude of placing religion before practicality. In such a situation, it would be practical to at least keep a weapon nearby instead of casting it aside. Voltaire further argues against current military practices in Candides visit to England. Upon arriving at Portsmouth, Candide observes a large crowd of people covered the shore, looking out intently at a rather stout man who was on his knees, blindfolded, on the deck of a naval ship (Gordon 98). Soon, four soldiers stationed in front of this man peace fully [fire] three bullets each into his brain; and the entire crowd [goes] away extremely satisfied (98). Candide learns that the man was an admiral who didnt kill enough people and engaged in a battle with a French Admiral and was later judged to have kept too great a distance from the enemy (99). Candide argues that it makes no difference because the French Admiral was as far from the English Admiral as the latter was from the former (99). He then receives the response that its good to kill an Admiral from time to time (99). In this episode, Voltaire portrays military justice as being misguided and unjust. The comment that its good to kill an Admiral from time to time especially betrays Voltaires feelings on the subject: theres no reasoning behind it except to say that its good, which is hardly a reason at all. Candide refuses to set foot on the land of a country that would do such a thing, which makes it fairly obvious just how strongly Voltaires feelings were on the subje ct. Voltaires criticisms were not without basis, nor was he alone in his resistance. Candide was published in 1759, in the midst of the Seven Years War (Hunt 634). It was this war that prompted the French crown to introduce far-reaching reforms that provoked violent resistance and helped pave the way for the French Revolution of 1789 (634). During this time, hostilities between England and France were seen everywhere, including North America, the West Indies, India and central Europe (636). The use of military force was so widespread that it permeated every aspect of rural society, fusing army and agrarian organization (638). Because the Enlightenment was largely an urban phenomenon, it would follow that the military, which was tied to rural areas, would seem unenlightened. One of Voltaires criticisms was directed at the Prussian army. He notes in Candide how easy it was to join the Bulgar army. Between the years 1740 and 1789, the Prussian armynearly tripled in size (Hunt 63 4). It makes sense that in order for such a major expansion to take place, the military would have to relax its standards. Also, Candides recruitment due to his height seems to be aimed at the Prussian army, too. In a footnote, it is revealed that Frederick the Great took pride in the height of his soldiers (Gordon 44). Here, Voltaire is directly criticizing the Prussian army and their pride over such a petty matter as height. In Candide, Voltaire criticizes many aspects of Enlightenment-era French society. He touches on colonialization, the cruelty of slavery, institutionalized religion, and the military, among other subjects. In the case of the military, armies are described as being flippant; theyre easy to join and just as easy to leave. Battles are declared victories despite major losses of life. Things such as height and proximity to the opposing army are held in high esteem, regardless of what should be important. Voltaire saw these flaws and, through use of his sati rical piece Candide, attempted to draw the publics attention to them.Works CitedGordon, Daniel, trans. Candide. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 1999.Hunt, Lynn et al. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures; Volume II: Since 1340. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2003.

Racism The United States Of America - 885 Words

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An analysis of discrimination in the United States presents one challenge facing Americans: unifying the country or continuing to separate i t through racial divide. The tension level between races in the United States is on the verge of exploding. The issue of racism is very relevant in today’s society. Similarly, subjects such as political correctness make the tension level even higher. If someone does not stay within the accepted vocabulary pertaining to the color of peoples skin someone can be considered a racist. Police shootings have now become a major issue that has caused riots in communitiesShow MoreRelatedExposing Racism During The United States Of America3091 Words   |  13 PagesExposing Racism in American The United States of America is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities, races, and cultures. Our country has no official language, religious faith, or skin color. It is simply a country that believes all men were created equal under Lady Liberty’s embrace. 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World War II A Brutal And Long War - 1088 Words

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The Human Experience free essay sample

The art I chose was music. Without a doubt my favorite artist is Lauryn Hill. Everything she has sung has been converted turned into her music with the emotion she revealed in each and every song. The song in particular that I chose is called ‘Peace of Mind’. The song is about how she has been touched with God’s grace causing her to be relieved of her burdens thus finding a peace of mind. We will write a custom essay sample on The Human Experience or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A sort of a before and after comparison; at first she is very confused and upset she desires a peace of mind. After her line â€Å"Touch my mouth with your hands† she describes her life transformation after receiving this peace of mind through this person. The song is an everyday song because it describes the everyday struggles we possess as humans and the route to â€Å"get free† if you give yourself to God. The song shows the emotion of a person in struggle, but now she expresses her testimony of a fulfilled and content life because her newly gained peace of mind. The human experience that I recognize in this song is the emotion of loneliness, melancholy, stress, and times of uncertainty in the past. The human experience emotions of this are extremely meaningful to me because the love that she received from her â€Å"Father† was the cure to her specific dilemma and assists her to rid any type of problem she will ever have. This song guides me to reinforce my belief that whatever mind shackles are holding me back can be unlocked if I let God in. At times I find it difficult to let go of certain situations in my life, and I often neglect to talk about them. Peace of Mind’ by Lauryn Hill focuses on the rejuvenation and fulfillment from God the Father. The social value that this song expresses is that it is a very touching song that can stir the emotions and impact anyone’s life who listens to it. The song gains its cultural value due to its mutual understanding around the globe. However, not all are Christians in this world every culture shares a belief in their God or higher power that brings faith, hope, and love to daily life. Peace of Mind’s moral value illustrates the relationship based in insecurity and neediness opposed to true love. I can relate this to my rough childhood experiences involving some of my family members that I could not get passed until I found a man, my husband, who showed me real love is self-less (â€Å"you make you desire pure†). I can personally say I have learned a love from this album and song specifically. Resources: I Gotta Find A Peace of Mind . (2008). Retrieved from http://www. songlyrics. com/lauryn-hill/i-gotta-find-peace-of-mind-lyrics/