Interpretation of Three Themes of the Enlightenment

Voltaire’s Candide is a satire of many of the ideas that controlled the lives of men during the Enlightenment. Though it is thought to be one of the Enlightenment’s greatest texts, it establishes that the Enlightenment was not concrete. Using unique and interesting characters, Voltaire personified and criticized many social problems of the day including the Clergy and organized religion, the Nobility and Philosophy. The Enlightenment, climaxing in the eighteenth century, caused many …

…society on the farm. Each works to support the household. This new approach offers an end to their suffering. Again, thought combined with action prove vital to change. Voltaire’s writing is steeped in satire and criticism. A true follower of the Enlightenment, he criticized everything including the movement itself. Of the themes in Candide I believe the Aristocratic Arrogance, Hypocrisy of the Church and the philosophy of thought combined with action were most prevalent.