I think Candide's punishments all stem from the naivety in his actions as Voltaire makes fun of Leibniz' "all is for the best" philosophy. Thus, the punishments are fitting in order to convey Voltaire's point. The first punishment Candide faces is being exiled from Westphalia after his "experiment" with Cunegonde. In the frame of Voltaire's satirical voice, this punishment absolutely fits the crime. No more happy-go-lucky life for Candide, for he only had proof of 71 quarterings.
Next, Candide is given the choice between being whipped by every man in the regiment or taking twelve bullets to his skull because he has taken a walk at his own leisure. Of course this punishment isn't fitting for what he's done but, again, it is fitting in Voltaire's goal to make fun of Leibniz' philosophy.
Even after these punishments, Candide's crimes continue and worsen. He now kills two men in the name of love. His punishment is to again be separated from Cunegonde right before they were to be married. This punishment is all the more fitting because I think the reader has lost any respect there ever was for Candide and his optimism. The punishment is humorous, as Candide still has not learned to deny the lessons he's learned from Pangloss.
When the Baron turns on Candide in disgust for wanting to marry Cunegonde, the punishment seems to come round full circle to Candide's original exile. His punishments started because of his love for Cunegonde and here he is killing the Baron for the same reason. There seems to be no crime nor punishment too large to stop Candide in his pursuit.
I think we basically tried to say the same thing except I didn't do it as well. I especially like that you mention the loss of respect on behalf of the reader. I definitely feel that.
ReplyDeleteYes, the ridiculousness of the punishment has to match the ridiculousness of the situation. Was is it ridiculous for Candide and Cunegonde to try out the physics experiment of "apple-eating" if they were never told not to do so? But I guess it's all for the best-- they have their small community garden and Cunegonde is a great pastry maker. If they did not go through all they did, they would not have achieved such greatness.
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