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In //Candide//, Voltaire is satirizing the idea that this is 'the best of all possible worlds." Therefore, Voltaire wants to you answer the following question:

1. Why is this not the best of all possible worlds? But, at the same time, //Candide// is not an entirely hopeless novel. What rays of hope do you see? As you post your responses to the 'key question' also mention 'rays of hope' that you see in the novel.

Here are some specific categories to look for:
 * religion
 * kings
 * governments
 * war
 * avarice (greed)
 * social pride
 * dishonesty
 * slavery
 * inhuman treatment of others
 * disease
 * cataclysms

Go to your class page for your Key Question assignment:

Chapter 27 pg. 85, the second paragraph : Candide, Cacambo, and Martin meets Pangloss and Baron as slaves on their way to Constantipole to meet Miss Cunégound. This is an example of a ray of hope, meeting their beloved, unexpected people. This shows a great example for a ray of hope that Voltaire tried to show.

Chapter 29, pg, 89, the last section of the second paragraph : Candide sees the rays of hope as he meets Pangloss and Baron, whom were supposed to be dead. Overjoyed, Candide asks Baron for the permission for Cunégounde and his marriage. However, despite the fact that Candide saved his life, Baron doesn't want Candide to marry with her for social class issues. This is very depressing to Candide especially, who went through all the sufferings, just to marry with one beloved women. I thought that this passage is one of the best representing paragraphs of how Voltaire wanted to show that the world is not at its best possible worlds, showing depression through hope.

Chapter 30, pg 92, the first paragraph : The words that the dervish said to Candide and Pangloss, I thought, was quite important for this story. I found it interesting because there was not one character in the story up until this time who had a perspective about the world like the philosopher himself. He wasn't all mad about the world, or happy, and just accepted what came in front of him. I considered this passage important for the actions and the thoughts of Candide and his companions changed significantly afterwards.