Candide

1. Candide Question three

2. Question • Choose a novel or play or long poem in which a scene or character awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is thoughtful and how it contributes to the meaning of the work.

3. Thesis Voltaire’s Candide is a prime example of a literary work that invokes thoughtful laughter in the reader, through the use of satire which causes the reader to realize the absurdity of traditional world practices.

4. b1 • Candide suffers through numerous misfortunes but, maintains an optimistic outlook. • The war scene between the Bulgars and Abar, its “Beautiful” • Candide is humorously cowardly on many accounts, but particularly so during the battle when he hides from the heroic warfront

5. b2 • Candide often finds himself in the company of many other humorous characters. • Old Lady with half a butt • Cunegonde with all her beauty, turns ugly • Pangloss was a philosopher who stressed the best of all worlds in a life of complete misery (metaphysico-theologo-cosmolo-nigo-logy)

6. b3 • The very nature of Voltaire’s Candide as a satire lets a thoughtful reader to come across the underlying humor in the novel. - Satire of war - Satire of Catholicism - Satire of Optimism - Satire of modern convention

7. Quote • One horse-laugh is worth ten thousand syllogisms. It is not only more effective; it is also vastly more intelligent. Author: H. L. Mencken

8. Conclusion • Candide is chalk full of thoughtful humor =)