Rational Characters Versus Irrational Characters In Candide English Literature Essay

Rational Characters Versus Ir judicious Characters In Candide English Literature EssayReason is a workforcetal sense found in an individual that is equal to generate conclusions from assumptions or premises. In other words, it is among other things the means the way that rational beings propose specific explanations of cause and effect. Rationality, by definition, is the exercise of reason within an individual being. This is presented in the story through the compositors cases Candide, Cacambo, the old woman, and the farmer. Irrationality is cognitive thinking, talking or acting without inclusion of reason. This is presented in the story through the characters Pangloss, Martin, Cungonde, and the Baron.Candide, the hero of the novel, is a good-hearted b atomic number 18ly hopeless(prenominal)ly nave young man. His mentor, Pangloss, teaches him that their valet de chambre is the best of all possible worlds. After being banished from his adopted childhood home, Candide travels th e world and meets with a wide variety of misfortunes, all the while pursuing security and following Cungonde, the woman he loves. His faith in Panglosss undiluted optimism is repeatedly tested. Candide is less a realistic character than a conduit for the attitudes and events that surround him. His opinions and actions are determined al close entirely by the influence of foreignfactors. It calculateed to me at first that Candide was an blind character, but I felt differently by the time I finished the story. He is the one who suggests that he and his comrades move from the temptations of the city to the quiet effortless life on the farm. I thought that the way that he continuously fights for his love, against all odds along with his solution to all the characters problems made Candide one of the most rational characters of the story. Cacambo becomes Candides bodyguard when he travels in South America. A mixed-race native of the Americas, Cacambo is highly intelligent and morally honest. He is savvy and single-handedly rescues Candide from a deem of scrapes. He is also directly responsible for Candides reunion with Cungonde. As a practical man of action, he stands in direct oppositionto ineffectual philosophers such(prenominal) as Pangloss and Martin. In my opinion, Cacambo is the most rational character of the story. E reallything he does throughout the story is rational in helping his friend Candide in his journey of love. He saves Candide over and over, which is a very rational thing to do for a friend. The old woman was born the daughter of a Pope. She has experienced the death of a fianc, rape by pirates, slavery, and cannibalism in wartime. She becomes Cungondes servant. Her misfortunes present made her cynical about human nature, but she does not give in to self-pity. She is wise, practical, and loyal to her mistress. Though she has oftentimes been close to suicide, she always finds a reason to make up. I think that the old lady falls under the ca tegory of rational because of her reactions. She has simply had a tortuous life, and instead of being depressed or overly sanguine, I believe that she has found a good balance. The farmer has a modest farm outside Constantinople.Candide and his friends are impressed with his lifestyle of hard work and simple pleasures, and adopt it for themselves. I believe that the farmer is rational because he ignores the sin and temptations of the city to live a simple, hardworking life and earn his own way through life rather than have any real help.Every rational character is contradicted by an equally irrational character. Pangloss is a philosopher and Candides tutor. His optimistic belief that this world is the best of all possible worlds is the primary target of the novels satire. Panglosss own experiences challenge this belief, but he remains faithful to it nonetheless. He is an exaggerated parody of overly optimistic Enlightenment philosophers. Pangloss is irrational in my opinion becaus e he has had so legion(predicate) misfortunes in his life that he has the right to be at least a little bit sad. Yet, he stays way more optimistic than anyone in their right mind should be. I also believe that Pangloss philosophical system itself is irrational because nothing in this world is perfect, and his biggest belief seems to be that everything is perfect and happens for a reason. This couldnt be more untrue. Martin is a cynical scholar whom Candide befriends as a travel companion. Martin has suffered a great deal in his life and preaches a philosophy of undiluted pessimism. More knowledgeable and intelligent than either Candide or Pangloss, Martin is nonetheless a flawed philosopher. Because he always expects nothing but the worst from the world, he often has trouble seeing the world as it really is. Martin is irrational for exactly the opposite reason of Pangloss. I believe that Martin is irrationally over pessimistic. Everyone has a little pessimism in their life, but it seems as though Martin lives by it. I mean he has the right to be sad about some of the things that have happened to him, but there has been good too that Martin seems unaware of. His pessimistic character is a little bit over the top. Cungonde is the daughter of a German baron who acts as Candides benefactor until he discovers Candides love for his daughter. Throughout much of the novel, Cungonde is young and beautiful. After her fathers castle is destroyed in war, a number of exploitative men enslave her or use her as a mistress. Cungonde returns Candides love but is willing to betray him for the sake of her own interests. Like him, she is neither intelligent nor complex. Her very blandness casts a satiric light on Candides mad romantic passion for her. She is irrational because she has someone who loves her so much and would do anything to be with her and she doesnt seem like she really cares. There are people who would die to find someone like that. It appears as though she ca res more about herself than others or what others are doing for her. I believe that is both irrational and stupid. The baron is Cungondes brother. After his familys castle is destroyed in wartime, he becomes a Jesuit priest. It is implied numerous times that he has homosexual tendencies. He is arrogant about his familys noble lineage and, though he is fond of the commoner Candide, he refuses to allow Candide to marry Cungonde. His egotism towards his family and his demurrer of Candides marriage proposal to his sister is irrational and unnecessary.In conclusion, the story Candide, in my opinion gives the reader a lesson on what reason is through the presentation of rational and irrational characters.