I was looking up that weird town Waldberghoff-trarbk-dik-dorff for homework, and I ended up with yahoo answers. It said:
"Best satirical quote EVER:
"The snow fell in great flakes, and, in the morning when he awoke, he was almost frozen to death; however, he made shift to crawl to the next town, which was called Waldberghofftrarbkdikdorff, without a penny in his pocket, and half death with hunger and fatigue." --Candide by Voltaire
It's freaking hilarious! I love that quote. =]"
^ Can someone explain why it's so funny? I really don't get it. -.-
What I have learned from chapter two: 1) I tryed to search the word Waldberghoff-frarbk-dikdorff on yahoo,google and other websites, but I could not get any results.I dont know what this word means.Does anybody know? 2) I learned that the word regiment means a body of troops headed by a colonial and divided into companies. www.reference.com/browse/regiment 3)While I read the book I came across the word metapysician and I learned that it is a person who creates or devolops metaphysical theories. www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysician 4)I also learned that the word emollients means somthing that softens,relaxes and smoothes the skin. www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/emollients 5)I have a question why are some people in the book called heroes if their actions show otherwise?
To Maureen: It's funny how that's not the exact quote. But who knows, her book might have been diffrent? I don't find anything hilarious about a man literally freezing to death. Maybe she refered to Candide in the previous chapter INTO this chapter.
In my research, I found out that the whole funny part about that quote is the fact that German sound in that name. Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff is an imaginary place that Voltaire created to poke fun at the Germans with their odd-sounding names. That and other information about Voltaire satirizing the army life in chapter 2 is on this site: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/candide3.asp
1) Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff-- I am also a victim of this word. There is no real location named Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff. It is most likely to be another ridiculous name that Voltaire created. Candide heads to this town next after a horrible event of being kicked out. Also, this town was where Candide got tortured. Like the Baron's name, Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff could also be refering to german ways and power. Maybe this was the way german people were treated. This could be the satire.
2)Regiment-- A regiment is basically an army. It consists of battalions. A battalion is an army of 600-1500 soilders. As we all logically know, an army is strong and powerful over normal people who are weak and defenseless. In fact, the army is our wall. They protect us. In the story, the regiment is under the power of the King of the Burglars. They are "heroes". What I don't get is why an army of burglars would be named "heroes". Could this also be a satire?
3)Prodigy-- A prodigy is a child or someone young that is extremely talented. In the book, Candide was called a prodigy within almost 3 days of being part of the regiment. Having the skills to be in the army was the talent, meaning that Candide was strong and tough. Candide at first was a gentle boy, but now he is an army man who is highly talented in the regiment. Was this something Voltaire put on purpose?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Prodigy
4) I would like to know if the King of the Burglars is referring to someone, and if the color blue, which the two men were wearing, refered to an army?
The town your refrencing doesn't exsist, most likely. It has a werid name because Voltaire seems to hate the Germans and some towns in Germany have long names and the same with people. He wants to make fun of the Germans (Prussians).
This word does not exist at all. It is probrably one of the many words that's made up by Voltaire, like the word metaphysico-theologo-cosmonigology. Many German words is also long; maybe Voltaire is making fun of Germany by creating this word. cite:www.nationstates.net/region=waldberghoffrarbkdikdorff
2.Bulgars-In this chapter, Candide is on his own for the first time in his life. He is tricked into recruiting to a military camp, the Bulgarains. Candide is force to do military training. The interesting part is that Candide does not understand his situation even after he is beaten. cite: www.sparknotes.com/lit/candide/section1.html
3. run the gauntlet- In this chapter, Candide was to "run the gauntlet" because he was captured when he wandered away from the Bulgarian camp. He was punished where he had to be beaten by men who was lined up in a parallel line. www.idioms.thefreedictionary.com/run+the+gauntlet
For my research I looked up Dioscorides. I found that he was a Greek philosepher who wrote a pharmacological about plants. Im guessing that Candide was being healed with certain plants after his beatings. www.analogicalplanet.com/Pages/ContentPages/Glossary/Glossary.html Then there was a part in the book were it said that "the soldiers regarded him as a prodigy." I looked up the word Prodigy and I found that it meant a person with exceptional talent or power. There's still one question though... Why are all the "heroes" doing all the wrong things?Shouldnt they be doing something good instead of making others suffer?
1. The three topics I researched were: Waldberghofftrarbkdikdorff- I could not find the exact location of this place, but www.google.com had many suggestions that I found helpful. A website named www.bagsofcrap.com/woot.html.php?id=5256 gave me a hint that this location was located in a place called Carrollton. I then researched Carrollton and found that it was a location in several different cities in the U.S like in Georgia and Missouri. From this information I gathered, all I can conclude is that Waldberghofftrarbkdikdorff is located in the United States or has no real location.
King of Bulgars- Bulgars were people known to live in eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/84067/Bulgar) The King of these people had full power over the Bulgarians during that time.
Metaphysician- A Metaphysician is a person who studies metaphysics, abstract philosophical studies. http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/metaphysician, http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/metaphysics
I have one question, is Voltaire really criticizing metaphysicians? i think i have a solid point but i am not sure if it is the right one.
Well voltair is definitly criticizing Germans. He's also criticizing a lot of other things. No I don't really see the humor in it, nor do I die of laughter when reading. I do however see why he would be criticizing the Germans. Voltaire is French, and at this time the seven year war is going. I found this when writing the first turn in assignment. France and Germany were on opposing sides of this war. I think Voltaire wanted to cram as many critiques as possible into this book. By doing this he is sort of masking some things, and only people who were trully interested in the book would understand it on a deeper level. Voltaire doesn't like the enlightenment ideas, and he certainly didn't like Germans, so why not fuse these into one? He's knocking to birds with one stone so to speak.
Oh, and for Jared, I do think he is criticizing not metaphysicains, but people in highly boasted lines of work. He is basically saying how anyone can have a high title, but not everyone is as important as they make themselves out to be.
1- Prodigy- when a person has an extraordinary talent or ability. This related to the book Candide because when Candide met the men dressed in blue, they recruited him into the military. They saw that he was five feet they saw that he had some type of special talent in the military. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Prodigy
2- Metaphysician- a person that comes up or develops metaphysical theories. This relates with the book because it says “That Candide was a young metaphysician” (Voltaire 20). Metaphysical means, when it talks about philosophy, concerning with abstract thoughts or subjects or with first principles and ultimate grounds, as a being, time or a substance. So the people from the military knew that he had knowledge on philosophy. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysician http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysical+
3-Emollients - when someone has the power of softening or relaxing, a medical substance; something soothing, especially to your skin; like lotion for your face. This has to do with the book because when Candide was beat the doctor healed him by giving him emollients so they can heal his wounds faster. That helped Candide heal faster, in three weeks. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emollients
2.In chapter two Candide wandered around until he found two men in blue. They invited him to eat because they said “We’ll never let a man like you be short of money. Men were made only to help each other” (Voltaire 17). Then after they invited him to dine with them they recruited him to the military. There he had poor performance the first day and he got stroked. “The next day he preformed his drill a little less badly and was given only twenty strokes” (Voltaire 19). He did this for only two more days. Then he decides to go out for a walk and he got stroked again for that. Then the doctor healed his wounds in the shortest time. After Candide was better he went to join the battle with the King of Avars. Voltaire is satirizing how fast a person can heal. Since Candide got stroked really badly and he healed in only three weeks. Voltaire also said that the doctor that healed Candide was prescribed by Dioscorides, which was already dead! 3.Exaggeration- “The regiment was composed of two thousand men, so his punishment was so far composed of four thousand strokes, which had laid bare every muscle and verve from the neck to his backside” (Voltaire 20). This is exaggeration because you cannot get four thousand stokes and not be half dead.
Warped- “He had not gone five miles when four other heroes, all six feet tall, overtook him, bound him, brought him back and put him in a dungeon” (Voltaire 19). People aren’t six feet tall or are considered heroes. Also why would they put Candide into a dungeon for going outside for a walk.
Ridiculous- “Ah, sir people of your appearance and merit never pay anything: aren’t your five feet five?”(Voltaire 17). This is strange that a person is complementing someone about their appearance and them asks about their height. Then they decide to recruit him into the army.
Improbable- “He lay without eating supper, between two furrows in an open field; it was snowing in large flakes” (Voltaire 17). How does a young man sleep in an open field when its winter outside and it snowing BIG snowflakes? This shows the reader that it’s improbable to sleep in an open field with snow.
1)Merit The definition of this word has a couple variations but all the same basic meaning. It means something that is exceptable or is derserving of justification. I also found that it means something that is deserving despite weather it may be good or bad.
I think Voltaire is criticizing society and who they choose to put in power. Simply because of the way Candide looked he was automatically invitied to join the two men (Voltaire 19). What about Candide is so deserving? He has not done anything to these men to stand out above others. In fact he is exiled at the moment.
Understatement: "'Gentlemen,'said Candide with charming modest,'I'm deeply honored, but I have no money to pay my share' " (Voltaire 21). This is an understatement because of the word modesty. Modest is what none of the people in this book are. Although Candide is the one speaking like this, the two men who he was speaking to were being anything but modest.
I'm not exactly sure what to call this, I juts think it needs to be pointed out. I think it's safe to day Candide is the "hero" in this story- weather we agree or not. So far however, Candide has not been treated as a hero type character. Here's a quick some-up of what has hapened to him: -live with Baron Thunder-ten tronckh -become exiled for kissing Cunegonde -travel and sleep homelessly and starving -invited and welcomed with open arms by two men for no probable reason -captured and sent to regiment -beaten in regiment -considered somewhat a hero because he gets less of a beating everyday -escapes regiment -recaptured into regiment -faced with 4,000 hits or 12 gun shots -accepts beating -cannot take it and chooses gun shots -doesn't get shot This is the most improbable situation to me, and i have to wonder does he still believe that all is for the best?
I know that this has nothing to do with chapter two but i have a question about chapter four. Is Voltaire satirizing Lebniz's philosophy throughout or is Voltaire satirizing something more? I believe that he is just satirizing Lebniz's idea of optimism due to the fact that it is a chapter solely based on Pangloss and because it displays many of Pangloss's newfound ideas on topics, such as his disease. If someone could please help clarify or justify my belief, I would be extremely thankful. For anyone who answers the questions, I would like to thank you ahead of time for helping clear up any misconceptions I have about Voltaire's satire in chapter four.
I too have a question about chapter four. I just need some serious clarification on the small speach Pangloss gives Candide. From where he says, "Pangloss answered in these terms....." to, "because I am dying" on page 26. Thanks.
Mona- I agree with you that he is satirizing the philosophy throughout. it is almost as if he is challenging the philosophy of "all is for the best". He is setting up a situation where liuterally the man who was teaching and justifying this, is now dying and has nothing left. He is sort of saying, "Is all still for the best?".
I have a question about Chapter four too! To somewhat answer Mona's question and to tell what I think. Well, when Candide meets Pangloss, the beggar, he is told about what happened to Cunegonde. After that, Candide mentions that the best of all worlds wasn't there. Throughthat, Leibniz's philosophy is being satirized. Voltaire wants to show that not everythong is done for the best and not everything done will be good. Though, at the end when Pangloss is cured, he shows that the best does come along for him. Now, I have a question. This is about Pangloss's disease. Was this disease like some regular blood disease or was it like an STD?I wonder this because of his "EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS" lessons. He could have spread it around to others, and others could have gotten it too, just like he said. I'm kind of confused. Does anyone know?
Thank you Stephanie for agreeing with me! Since I am working on chapter four I would love to help, but I cannot find this quote. Also, on page 26 that is in chapter 3 not four. If you could possibly put a sentence or two of the quote I would love to put some of my input.
Im pretty sure his disease was not specified, but it doesn't matter. The point was that he was living life high and this is what happened to him. Or atleats i think so.
Mona I really just need help understanding the point Pangloss wqas trying to get across, or the point Voltaore was trying to get across through Pangloss.
I agree with Stephanie that his disease is not specified but I believe that it is possible that he could have gotten this disease through "experimental physics". This always makes me laugh x]. I am also kind of confused about that as well. It is possible through " experimental physics" and blood. Since it is not specified, I cannot fully answer this question. Sorry Semir!
Yeah Mona, but if you read the nextt page it becomes clearer. Candide and Pangloss are speaking about something that was passed through people. I'm pretty sure they were refering to "experimental physics", (and yes that makes me laugh too) and they spoke of how the origin is unknown.
Stephanie's Question: Pangloss is just explaining the origin of the disease and its importance. By Christopher Columbus getting the disease and spreading it to generations it led to Europe getting chocolate first. He also talks about how he does not want to spread it to others and that it is his time to die. I don't know if this makes sense for you or if it is indeed true, but these are my beliefs on this topic. If you had any more questions, please feel free to post them! I hope it helped!
Thanks, I was so close to figuring it out that answer was a nice push. Now this is just an opinion but for my sake it needs to be stated: Pangloss is stupid. he goes through all that yet, "all is for the best". He agrivates me.
For chapter four, why the Bulgars attacked the Barons, rape the women and kill the men? This is like the war between China and japan. Japan would attack China and the men who represented Japan would kill the men, take whatever is valuable, and rape the women. Another question how would be the disease that Pangloss is talking about be so harmful? What cause this disease to happen?
Alice- For your first question, it is possible that the Baron's were on the King of Abar's side. If they were, then the Bulgars would attack, defile, and destroy everything. This could be a possible explanation. For your second question, it is not specified the cause, we are just given that it was contracted during Christopher Columbus's time and that it spread.
Danny- For your first question, I really do not know why the Orator says that the Pope is the Anti-Christ. This could possibly be a form of satire but I really cannot answer that. For your second question, the Anabaptist could have beliefs different than Pangloss's because people in general have different opinions. This is my justification for your second question, but I am not sure if it is truly helpful.
I hope, for the both of you, that I was able to help in any way possible.
I have a question of Chapter three, Why exactly did Candide go around to reason cause and affect? He's been beaten, and almost basically killed, but yet he's trying to go on to reason optimism. I find that kind of odd.
Jennifer- I believe that Candide does so because he learned that philosophy from Pangloss. We learned in chapter one that Candide believed Pangloss's teaching almost religiously and still does through the book so far. I hope that answers your question.
For chapter three, I was wondering why the "Bulgar heroes" disemboweled the woman and girls after doing things to them, in the midst of a battle between the Avar.
And for chapter four, I have been wondering if Voltaire satarized anything through the character James.
Also, I have been searching around the internet, and found that the name James was supposedly be Jacques; probably just different in this book.
Jia- They probably did so because they had power over the town they were about to burn to the ground. As long as they were in a town that the opponent owned, the opposing team would destroy everything and everyone in it. These are my beliefs on this topic and I hope that it helped.
That's what I was talking about earlier. His actions simply upset me. As for Jennifer's point, I'm pretty sure that this is one of Voltaire's points. Voltaire is against the enlightenment. Enlightened thinkers do have lots of reasoning and proof backing them up, but there is two sides every story. Those who were against the enlightenment also had their reasons.
Voltaire criticized Germany because of the war between France and Germany called the Seven Years War. If France occupied Hanover, Britain would be forced to exchange any colonial conquests to regain it. So Germany had to prevent France from occupying Hanover, Germany. This would put the two countries at war, putting Voltaire against the Germans and the Germans against Voltaire. This is why Voltaire criticizes the Germans. (http://members.cox.net/johnahamill/sevenyears.html)
Chapter 3 questions: What are the other things Voltaire is criticizing in chapter 3? Why were Christians in Holland so ignorant to non Christians?
Chapter 4 questions: I am confused on what Voltaire is satirizing? Where did Dr. Pangloss get his ridiculous knowledge and beliefs from?
Sarah: Apparently there is no ridiculous name in chapter 3. Most of the words that doesn't sound right is an actual word. Like Anabaptist and Antichrist, They sound ridiculous in a little way but it they have a definition.
I wished i posted earlier.. , 1). I couldn't find any ridiclous names for chapter 3 is there any? 2). Why did the orator scowl at Candide for no apparent reason when he just speaking about charity? Is that a type of critism against the church?
I have a few questions for chapter 3. 1. Why did the man ask Cnadide if he thought that the Pope was the antichrist? 2. What was the international law, in which it made the Bulgars burn Avar villages?
In Chapter 4: 1.Is Pnagloss saying that in well built army is there about 2/3 of the people have STD's? 2. Why did James say that the more misfortunes there are, the more better it is? I think that this means people can learn from their mistakes and failures.
Also have another thing to add. I think that Pangloss was infected by an STD, recognized by syphilis because he describes the army as having "about twenty thousand syphilitics on each side" (Voltaire 27).
An other thing I want to add is that Voltaire satirizes Pangloss teachings of optimism beacuse one of his eyes and ear were taken off after having been infected with an STD. He humorously says that Pangloss got an STD for the best.
For kevin, I think he scowled to prove that many people were closed minded about other reeligions. I'm just having a little trouble connecting that into his opposite veiws of the enlightenment.
You guys involved in this conversation are awesome!!! Firstly, the Anabaptist is a protestant. Protestants despise Catholics and believe the Pope is the Antichrist. Secondly, the whole discussion of the war is satirizing the heroic qualities of soldiers who, actually, rape and plunder harmless villages.
Pangloss's theory is the theory of optimism. How can he be optimistic when he is poor, sick and has seen so much chaos? This is the humor. It is odd, a little gross and ridiculous.
Nice job helping each other out! Watch your grammar.
I was looking up that weird town Waldberghoff-trarbk-dik-dorff for homework, and I ended up with yahoo answers. It said:
ReplyDelete"Best satirical quote EVER:
"The snow fell in great flakes, and, in the morning when he awoke, he was almost frozen to death; however, he made shift to crawl to the next town, which was called Waldberghofftrarbkdikdorff, without a penny in his pocket, and half death with hunger and fatigue."
--Candide by Voltaire
It's freaking hilarious! I love that quote. =]"
^ Can someone explain why it's so funny? I really don't get it. -.-
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have learned from chapter two:
ReplyDelete1) I tryed to search the word Waldberghoff-frarbk-dikdorff on yahoo,google and other websites, but I could not get any results.I dont know what this word means.Does anybody know?
2) I learned that the word regiment means a body of troops headed by a colonial and divided into companies.
www.reference.com/browse/regiment
3)While I read the book I came across the word metapysician and I learned that it is a person who creates or devolops metaphysical theories.
www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysician
4)I also learned that the word emollients means somthing that softens,relaxes and smoothes the skin.
www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/emollients
5)I have a question why are some people in the book called heroes if their actions show otherwise?
To Maureen: It's funny how that's not the exact quote. But who knows, her book might have been diffrent? I don't find anything hilarious about a man literally freezing to death. Maybe she refered to Candide in the previous chapter INTO this chapter.
ReplyDeleteIn my research, I found out that the whole funny part about that quote is the fact that German sound in that name. Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff is an imaginary place that Voltaire created to poke fun at the Germans with their odd-sounding names. That and other information about Voltaire satirizing the army life in chapter 2 is on this site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/candide3.asp
1) Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff--
ReplyDeleteI am also a victim of this word. There is no real location named Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff. It is most likely to be another ridiculous name that Voltaire created. Candide heads to this town next after a horrible event of being kicked out. Also, this town was where Candide got tortured. Like the Baron's name, Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff could also be refering to german ways and power. Maybe this was the way german people were treated. This could be the satire.
2)Regiment--
A regiment is basically an army. It consists of battalions. A battalion is an army of 600-1500 soilders. As we all logically know, an army is strong and powerful over normal people who are weak and defenseless. In fact, the army is our wall. They protect us. In the story, the regiment is under the power of the King of the Burglars. They are "heroes". What I don't get is why an army of burglars would be named "heroes". Could this also be a satire?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battalion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regiment
Candide (21)
3)Prodigy--
A prodigy is a child or someone young that is extremely talented. In the book, Candide was called a prodigy within almost 3 days of being part of the regiment. Having the skills to be in the army was the talent, meaning that Candide was strong and tough. Candide at first was a gentle boy, but now he is an army man who is highly talented in the regiment. Was this something Voltaire put on purpose?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Prodigy
4) I would like to know if the King of the Burglars is referring to someone, and if the color blue, which the two men were wearing, refered to an army?
Correction--citations:
ReplyDelete1) Candide (19)
3) http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Prodigy
Candide (21)
The town your refrencing doesn't exsist, most likely. It has a werid name because Voltaire seems to hate the Germans and some towns in Germany have long names and the same with people. He wants to make fun of the Germans (Prussians).
ReplyDelete1. Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff
ReplyDeleteThis word does not exist at all. It is probrably one of the many words that's made up by Voltaire, like the word metaphysico-theologo-cosmonigology. Many German words is also long; maybe Voltaire is making fun of Germany by creating this word.
cite:www.nationstates.net/region=waldberghoffrarbkdikdorff
2.Bulgars-In this chapter, Candide is on his own for the first time in his life. He is tricked into recruiting to a military camp, the Bulgarains. Candide is force to do military training. The interesting part is that Candide does not understand his situation even after he is beaten.
cite: www.sparknotes.com/lit/candide/section1.html
3. run the gauntlet- In this chapter, Candide was to "run the gauntlet" because he was captured when he wandered away from the Bulgarian camp. He was punished where he had to be beaten by men who was lined up in a parallel line.
www.idioms.thefreedictionary.com/run+the+gauntlet
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor my research I looked up Dioscorides. I found that he was a Greek philosepher who wrote a pharmacological about plants. Im guessing that Candide was being healed with certain plants after his beatings.
ReplyDeletewww.analogicalplanet.com/Pages/ContentPages/Glossary/Glossary.html
Then there was a part in the book were it said that "the soldiers regarded him as a prodigy."
I looked up the word Prodigy and I found that it meant a person with exceptional talent or power.
There's still one question though... Why are all the "heroes" doing all the wrong things?Shouldnt they be doing something good instead of making others suffer?
1. The three topics I researched were:
ReplyDeleteWaldberghofftrarbkdikdorff- I could not find the exact location of this place, but www.google.com had many suggestions that I found helpful. A website named www.bagsofcrap.com/woot.html.php?id=5256 gave me a hint that this location was located in a place called Carrollton. I then researched Carrollton and found that it was a location in several different cities in the U.S like in Georgia and Missouri. From this information I gathered, all I can conclude is that Waldberghofftrarbkdikdorff is located in the United States or has no real location.
King of Bulgars- Bulgars were people known to live in eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/84067/Bulgar) The King of these people had full power over the Bulgarians during that time.
Metaphysician- A Metaphysician is a person who studies metaphysics, abstract philosophical studies. http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/metaphysician, http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/metaphysics
I have one question, is Voltaire really criticizing metaphysicians? i think i have a solid point but i am not sure if it is the right one.
Why does Voltaire criticize Germans?
ReplyDeleteWell voltair is definitly criticizing Germans. He's also criticizing a lot of other things. No I don't really see the humor in it, nor do I die of laughter when reading. I do however see why he would be criticizing the Germans. Voltaire is French, and at this time the seven year war is going. I found this when writing the first turn in assignment. France and Germany were on opposing sides of this war. I think Voltaire wanted to cram as many critiques as possible into this book. By doing this he is sort of masking some things, and only people who were trully interested in the book would understand it on a deeper level. Voltaire doesn't like the enlightenment ideas, and he certainly didn't like Germans, so why not fuse these into one? He's knocking to birds with one stone so to speak.
ReplyDeleteOh, and for Jared, I do think he is criticizing not metaphysicains, but people in highly boasted lines of work. He is basically saying how anyone can have a high title, but not everyone is as important as they make themselves out to be.
ReplyDelete1- Prodigy- when a person has an extraordinary talent or ability. This related to the book Candide because when Candide met the men dressed in blue, they recruited him into the military. They saw that he was five feet they saw that he had some type of special talent in the military. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Prodigy
ReplyDelete2- Metaphysician- a person that comes up or develops metaphysical theories. This relates with the book because it says “That Candide was a young metaphysician” (Voltaire 20). Metaphysical means, when it talks about philosophy, concerning with abstract thoughts or subjects or with first principles and ultimate grounds, as a being, time or a substance. So the people from the military knew that he had knowledge on philosophy.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysician
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphysical+
3-Emollients - when someone has the power of softening or relaxing, a medical substance; something soothing, especially to your skin; like lotion for your face. This has to do with the book because when Candide was beat the doctor healed him by giving him emollients so they can heal his wounds faster. That helped Candide heal faster, in three weeks.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emollients
2.In chapter two Candide wandered around until he found two men in blue. They invited him to eat because they said “We’ll never let a man like you be short of money. Men were made only to help each other” (Voltaire 17). Then after they invited him to dine with them they recruited him to the military. There he had poor performance the first day and he got stroked. “The next day he preformed his drill a little less badly and was given only twenty strokes” (Voltaire 19). He did this for only two more days. Then he decides to go out for a walk and he got stroked again for that. Then the doctor healed his wounds in the shortest time. After Candide was better he went to join the battle with the King of Avars. Voltaire is satirizing how fast a person can heal. Since Candide got stroked really badly and he healed in only three weeks. Voltaire also said that the doctor that healed Candide was prescribed by Dioscorides, which was already dead!
3.Exaggeration- “The regiment was composed of two thousand men, so his punishment was so far composed of four thousand strokes, which had laid bare every muscle and verve from the neck to his backside” (Voltaire 20). This is exaggeration because you cannot get four thousand stokes and not be half dead.
Warped- “He had not gone five miles when four other heroes, all six feet tall, overtook him, bound him, brought him back and put him in a dungeon” (Voltaire 19). People aren’t six feet tall or are considered heroes. Also why would they put Candide into a dungeon for going outside for a walk.
Ridiculous- “Ah, sir people of your appearance and merit never pay anything: aren’t your five feet five?”(Voltaire 17). This is strange that a person is complementing someone about their appearance and them asks about their height. Then they decide to recruit him into the army.
Improbable- “He lay without eating supper, between two furrows in an open field; it was snowing in large flakes” (Voltaire 17). How does a young man sleep in an open field when its winter outside and it snowing BIG snowflakes? This shows the reader that it’s improbable to sleep in an open field with snow.
correction- that last post didn't make much sense. I meant to say: I do think he is criticizing metaphysicains
ReplyDelete1)Merit
ReplyDeleteThe definition of this word has a couple variations but all the same basic meaning. It means something that is exceptable or is derserving of justification. I also found that it means something that is deserving despite weather it may be good or bad.
source:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/merit
I think Voltaire is criticizing society and who they choose to put in power. Simply because of the way Candide looked he was automatically invitied to join the two men (Voltaire 19). What about Candide is so deserving? He has not done anything to these men to stand out above others. In fact he is exiled at the moment.
Understatement:
"'Gentlemen,'said Candide with charming modest,'I'm deeply honored, but I have no money to pay my share' " (Voltaire 21). This is an understatement because of the word modesty. Modest is what none of the people in this book are. Although Candide is the one speaking like this, the two men who he was speaking to were being anything but modest.
I'm not exactly sure what to call this, I juts think it needs to be pointed out.
I think it's safe to day Candide is the "hero" in this story- weather we agree or not. So far however, Candide has not been treated as a hero type character. Here's a quick some-up of what has hapened to him:
-live with Baron Thunder-ten tronckh
-become exiled for kissing Cunegonde
-travel and sleep homelessly and starving
-invited and welcomed with open arms by two men for no probable reason
-captured and sent to regiment
-beaten in regiment
-considered somewhat a hero because he gets less of a beating everyday
-escapes regiment
-recaptured into regiment
-faced with 4,000 hits or 12 gun shots
-accepts beating
-cannot take it and chooses gun shots
-doesn't get shot
This is the most improbable situation to me, and i have to wonder does he still believe that all is for the best?
I know that this has nothing to do with chapter two but i have a question about chapter four. Is Voltaire satirizing Lebniz's philosophy throughout or is Voltaire satirizing something more? I believe that he is just satirizing Lebniz's idea of optimism due to the fact that it is a chapter solely based on Pangloss and because it displays many of Pangloss's newfound ideas on topics, such as his disease. If someone could please help clarify or justify my belief, I would be extremely thankful. For anyone who answers the questions, I would like to thank you ahead of time for helping clear up any misconceptions I have about Voltaire's satire in chapter four.
ReplyDeleteI too have a question about chapter four. I just need some serious clarification on the small speach Pangloss gives Candide. From where he says, "Pangloss answered in these terms....." to, "because I am dying" on page 26. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMona-
I agree with you that he is satirizing the philosophy throughout. it is almost as if he is challenging the philosophy of "all is for the best". He is setting up a situation where liuterally the man who was teaching and justifying this, is now dying and has nothing left. He is sort of saying, "Is all still for the best?".
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ReplyDeleteI have a question about Chapter four too! To somewhat answer Mona's question and to tell what I think. Well, when Candide meets Pangloss, the beggar, he is told about what happened to Cunegonde. After that, Candide mentions that the best of all worlds wasn't there. Throughthat, Leibniz's philosophy is being satirized. Voltaire wants to show that not everythong is done for the best and not everything done will be good. Though, at the end when Pangloss is cured, he shows that the best does come along for him.
ReplyDeleteNow, I have a question. This is about Pangloss's disease. Was this disease like some regular blood disease or was it like an STD?I wonder this because of his "EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS" lessons. He could have spread it around to others, and others could have gotten it too, just like he said. I'm kind of confused. Does anyone know?
Thank you Stephanie for agreeing with me! Since I am working on chapter four I would love to help, but I cannot find this quote. Also, on page 26 that is in chapter 3 not four. If you could possibly put a sentence or two of the quote I would love to put some of my input.
ReplyDeleteIm pretty sure his disease was not specified, but it doesn't matter. The point was that he was living life high and this is what happened to him. Or atleats i think so.
ReplyDeleteMona I really just need help understanding the point Pangloss wqas trying to get across, or the point Voltaore was trying to get across through Pangloss.
ReplyDeleteSemir, I think you may be right about Pangloss! He may seriously have a STD.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stephanie that his disease is not specified but I believe that it is possible that he could have gotten this disease through "experimental physics". This always makes me laugh x]. I am also kind of confused about that as well. It is possible through " experimental physics" and blood. Since it is not specified, I cannot fully answer this question. Sorry Semir!
ReplyDeleteYeah Mona, but if you read the nextt page it becomes clearer. Candide and Pangloss are speaking about something that was passed through people. I'm pretty sure they were refering to "experimental physics", (and yes that makes me laugh too) and they spoke of how the origin is unknown.
ReplyDeleteStephanie's Question: Pangloss is just explaining the origin of the disease and its importance. By Christopher Columbus getting the disease and spreading it to generations it led to Europe getting chocolate first. He also talks about how he does not want to spread it to others and that it is his time to die. I don't know if this makes sense for you or if it is indeed true, but these are my beliefs on this topic. If you had any more questions, please feel free to post them! I hope it helped!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I was so close to figuring it out that answer was a nice push.
ReplyDeleteNow this is just an opinion but for my sake it needs to be stated: Pangloss is stupid. he goes through all that yet, "all is for the best". He agrivates me.
Anytime. I also agree his is very aggravating.
ReplyDeleteFor chapter four, why the Bulgars attacked the Barons, rape the women and kill the men? This is like the war between China and japan. Japan would attack China and the men who represented Japan would kill the men, take whatever is valuable, and rape the women.
ReplyDeleteAnother question how would be the disease that Pangloss is talking about be so harmful? What cause this disease to happen?
Questions:
ReplyDelete1) Why did the Orator say that the Pope is the Anti-Christ?
2) Why does the Anabaptist have those beliefs different from Pangloss?
Alice- For your first question, it is possible that the Baron's were on the King of Abar's side. If they were, then the Bulgars would attack, defile, and destroy everything. This could be a possible explanation. For your second question, it is not specified the cause, we are just given that it was contracted during Christopher Columbus's time and that it spread.
ReplyDeleteDanny- For your first question, I really do not know why the Orator says that the Pope is the Anti-Christ. This could possibly be a form of satire but I really cannot answer that. For your second question, the Anabaptist could have beliefs different than Pangloss's because people in general have different opinions. This is my justification for your second question, but I am not sure if it is truly helpful.
I hope, for the both of you, that I was able to help in any way possible.
I have a question of Chapter three, Why exactly did Candide go around to reason cause and affect? He's been beaten, and almost basically killed, but yet he's trying to go on to reason optimism. I find that kind of odd.
ReplyDeleteJennifer- I believe that Candide does so because he learned that philosophy from Pangloss. We learned in chapter one that Candide believed Pangloss's teaching almost religiously and still does through the book so far. I hope that answers your question.
ReplyDeleteFor chapter three, I was wondering why the "Bulgar heroes" disemboweled the woman and girls after doing things to them, in the midst of a battle between the Avar.
ReplyDeleteAnd for chapter four, I have been wondering if Voltaire satarized anything through the character James.
Also, I have been searching around the internet, and found that the name James was supposedly be Jacques; probably just different in this book.
Jia- They probably did so because they had power over the town they were about to burn to the ground. As long as they were in a town that the opponent owned, the opposing team would destroy everything and everyone in it. These are my beliefs on this topic and I hope that it helped.
ReplyDeleteThat some what helps, so would you say that he'll just be optimistic throughout because he believed Pangloss' teaching?
ReplyDeleteI would say so. Candide is very dim witted, so he would probably continue to believe in Pangloss's teaching throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I get it now. I just found it kind of odd that he would go on and persue the idea of optimism after all that's happened to him.
ReplyDeleteYeah, i agree completely. He is very dim witted though so it kind of makes sense if you think about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was talking about earlier. His actions simply upset me. As for Jennifer's point, I'm pretty sure that this is one of Voltaire's points. Voltaire is against the enlightenment. Enlightened thinkers do have lots of reasoning and proof backing them up, but there is two sides every story. Those who were against the enlightenment also had their reasons.
ReplyDeleteVoltaire criticized Germany because of the war between France and Germany called the Seven Years War. If France occupied Hanover, Britain would be forced to exchange any colonial conquests to regain it. So Germany had to prevent France from occupying Hanover, Germany. This would put the two countries at war, putting Voltaire against the Germans and the Germans against Voltaire. This is why Voltaire criticizes the Germans. (http://members.cox.net/johnahamill/sevenyears.html)
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 questions:
What are the other things Voltaire is criticizing in chapter 3? Why were Christians in Holland so ignorant to non Christians?
Chapter 4 questions:
I am confused on what Voltaire is satirizing? Where did Dr. Pangloss get his ridiculous knowledge and beliefs from?
In chapter 3 I'm having a hard time finding a ridiculous name because it is not as obvious as the other chapters. Does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteSarah: Apparently there is no ridiculous name in chapter 3. Most of the words that doesn't sound right is an actual word. Like Anabaptist and Antichrist, They sound ridiculous in a little way but it they have a definition.
ReplyDeleteI wished i posted earlier.. ,
ReplyDelete1). I couldn't find any ridiclous names for chapter 3 is there any?
2). Why did the orator scowl at Candide for no apparent reason when he just speaking about charity? Is that a type of critism against the church?
1. Who are the Avars?
ReplyDelete2. Why are they at war with Bulgars?
3. Is there religous contraversies in Holland?
I have a few questions for chapter 3.
ReplyDelete1. Why did the man ask Cnadide if he thought that the Pope was the antichrist?
2. What was the international law, in which it made the Bulgars burn Avar villages?
In Chapter 4:
1.Is Pnagloss saying that in well built army is there about 2/3 of the people have STD's?
2. Why did James say that the more misfortunes there are, the more better it is? I think that this means people can learn from their mistakes and failures.
Also have another thing to add. I think that Pangloss was infected by an STD, recognized by syphilis because he describes the army as having "about twenty thousand syphilitics on each side" (Voltaire 27).
An other thing I want to add is that Voltaire satirizes Pangloss teachings of optimism beacuse one of his eyes and ear were taken off after having been infected with an STD. He humorously says that Pangloss got an STD for the best.
ReplyDeleteFor kevin,
ReplyDeleteI think he scowled to prove that many people were closed minded about other reeligions. I'm just having a little trouble connecting that into his opposite veiws of the enlightenment.
You guys involved in this conversation are awesome!!! Firstly, the Anabaptist is a protestant. Protestants despise Catholics and believe the Pope is the Antichrist. Secondly, the whole discussion of the war is satirizing the heroic qualities of soldiers who, actually, rape and plunder harmless villages.
ReplyDeletePangloss's theory is the theory of optimism. How can he be optimistic when he is poor, sick and has seen so much chaos? This is the humor. It is odd, a little gross and ridiculous.
Nice job helping each other out! Watch your grammar.
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ReplyDelete