Candide Discussion Questions

1. Characterize the protagonist--Candide.  What sort of person is he?  List his personality traits and then find specific examples that demonstrate two or three of the traits you listed.  In terms of Voltaire's purpose, why would he create a character with these traits?

2. Characterize Pangloss.  What sort of person is he?  Find specific examples in the novella that demonstrate his philosophy of Optimism.

3. Characterize Cunegonde.  What sort of person is she?  What is her purpose in the story?

4. A satire pokes fun at established social structures, commonly held beliefs, historical events, and personalities.  Find two or three specific examples of satire in Candide.  At what are these examples poking fun?  What is the point of each?

5.  Discuss the use of exaggeration in the story.  What is its purpose?  Find two or three examples of exaggeration in the novella and specifically explain how each example supports Voltaire's purpose.