SHORT PLOT/CHAPTER SUMMARY (Synopsis)

Candide means innocent. Candide is a very innocent young man living in the castle of the Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. Some of the old servants believe that he is the son of the BaronÂ’s sister. The BaronÂ’s sister refuses to marry CandideÂ’s father because his degree of nobility is less than hers.

Candide lacks knowledge of the outside world. He believes that this castle is the best place to live in. He considers it ideal. One day he and Cunégonde, the Baron’s daughter are seen in romantic positions. So he is kicked and thrown out of the castle.

Candide goes through many adventures. Some of them are funny, some are sad, and some are eerie. His eyes open to reality. He sees that everything does not happen for the best as the philosophers and metaphysician Pangloss had told him in the BaronÂ’s castle. In Europe as well as in America, he encounters misery. He meets a number of people from various walks of life. He comes across many philosophers ranging from extreme optimism of Pangloss to the bleak pessimism of Martin. He experiences the love and total selflessness of Jacques and also the extreme cruelty and selfishness of the drunken sailor. He experiences the kindness of the old lady who happens to be the daughter of the Pope and a princess. She is always ready to help though she has gone through tremendous suffering herself.

When Candide reaches Eldorado he feels peace. It is a truly peaceful and happy place full of contented people. It is an earthly paradise. Yet he leaves it quickly to go in search of his beloved Cunégonde. He meets her in a castle. He meets her again Constantinople. He adores her and yearns for her all the time. It is by sheer chance or luck that he does not stay in any place for long. He often finds Cunégonde and loses her. Again the search for Cunégonde continues. He is ready to sacrifice anything in order to get her. Her memory fills him with hope and joy. Amidst all the turmoil that he faces, he feels life is still worth living and searching for Cunégonde.

Finally Candide finds Cunégonde and does not lose her. She has become extremely ugly. She insists that he should marry her. Her brother vehemently opposes their marriage. The reason he states is that their children will not be noble enough since Candide’s lineage is not as noble as hers. Candide’s is provoked by the Baron’s defiance and Cunégonde’s insistence.

After a period of uncertainty and boredom, Candide, Cunégonde, Martin, Pangloss, Paguette, the old lady, and Girofle live on the farm purchased by Candide. They are quite satisfied. From their numerous experiences, they have realized that they must cultivate their own garden. They know by the end of the novel that the only way to happiness is honesty and hard work and not vague philosophy and baseless illusions.

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