Optimism

Optimism
Voltaire's Candide is a novel which contains conceptual ideas and at the same time I feel is exaggerated. Voltaire offers sad themes which are disguised by jokes and are sort of ironic. The story itself presents a distinctive outlook on life. The crucial contrast in the story deals with irrational ideas that are taught to Candide about being optimistic, versus reality as it is viewed by the rest of the world.
The main theme which is presented throughout the novel is optimism.
Out of every unfortunate situation in the story, Candide has been advised by his philosophy teacher that everything in the world happens for the better, because "Private misfortunes contribute to the general good, so that the more private misfortunes there are, the more we find that all is well" (Voltaire, p. 31).  
Pangloss, the philosopher, tries to defend his theories by determining the positive from the negative situations and by showing that misfortunes bring some privileges. As Candide grows up, whenever something unfortunate happens, Pangloss would turn the situation around, bringing out the good in it. Candide learns that optimism is "The passion for maintaining that all is right when all goes wrong” (Voltaire, p.86).
Pomeau explains that Candide shows both sides of humanity; how both great and terrible events are standard in a human life. Also according to Pomeau, the whole point of the story is to debate between good and bad; for example, as Candide becomes more independent, he starts to doubt that only good comes out of life.

Pangloss is a very hopeful character in the story because he refuses to accept the bad. He is also somewhat naive and believes that he could make the world a better place by spreading his theories on optimism. When Candide had met up with Pangloss after a long period of time, Pangloss said that he was almost hanged. Candide asked him if he still thought that everything was for the better, and Pangloss replied that he still held his...