Candide

Turning a New Leaf

In the book Candide, there are many life lessons that can be learned. Although the trials that Candide and the other characters go through seem a little severe, the reader can always take something back from Voltaire's writing. One theme that stands out the most is depicted by the Old Woman's story, her optimistic spirit, although fictionally demonstrated, has a really motivational message. It is definitely a topic that can relate to people from all walks of life. The Old Woman, is left with nothing ,but finds someway to persevere even through the toughest times. In this unexpectedly inspirational novel, two chapters embody one of the most important messages that shed a new light on the on the importance of valuing what you have and life as a whole.

The characters that are introduced throughout the story have a myriad of personalities. Candide, for instance, has the heroic persona that does exactly what's expected of him. While Pangloss is the character that believes that everything is the "best of all possible worlds." The Old Woman brings an unanticipated change to the story with her love of life and hopefulness. She was the beautiful princess of Palestrina until the man she was betrothed to was poisoned, after that everything went south. Involving being kidnapped, raped, and a victim of cannabalism.

In chapter eleven, the then princess of Palestrina underwent the horrible pain of losing the man she loved. Her mother, the maids of honor, and herself attempt "moving on" and they become entangled in a series of unfortunate events. In the beginning of these events, pirates siege their ship and stripped them of eveything and proceeded to do more damage "... what suprised me more, they then took each of us and inserted thier fingers into that orifice which we ladies reserve for and enema syringe" (Voltaire 26). Not only were they stripped of their clothes and jewels,but of their dignity as well.

Later on in chapter twelve , the pain...