Awkward Turtle

CANDIDE OR OPTIMISM. Any normal student who comes across this book for English class would think, "Great. Here is another boring book we are stuck reading for English. To make it even better its about being optimistic. *sigh*" Luckily, if your in English class with Mr. Tangen the student knows that there has to be a catch.  Since the last book the class read was Slaughterhouse-Five, a book full of dark humor, many of the students second guessed if the novel would actually be optimistic.  Since the book in the first chapter has many positive sentences I was shocked to figure out that the book would actually be about a happy city where "everything happens for the best."(page 20)

"He proved incontestably that there is no effect without a cause, and that in this best of all possible worlds, his lordship's country seat was the most beautiful of mansions and her ladyship the best of all possible ladyships." (page 20) This makes their world sound like an outstanding paradise. A perfect Utopia. The exact opposite of what someone ready to read a satirical novel would be expecting.  The first chapter continues describing the perfect Utopia until Dr. Pangloss  has an affair with a waiting-woman.  "One day Cunegonde was walking near the house in a little copice, called 'the park', when she saw Dr. Pangloss behind some bushes giving a lesson in experimental physics to her mother's waiting-woman, a pretty little brunette who seemed eminently teachable."(page 21) Before this sentence there are subtle hints here and there about the characters being stupid and naive.  This phrase makes it even more clear that Lady Cunegonde is as naive as it gets. It doesn't take someone with a dirty mind to realize that Voltaire, the author, is actually talking about sex. I find it hilarious that she sat there and "took note of cause and effect"(page 21) without feeling a tad bit awkward. Anyone who had seen her from this century would probably think "awkward turtle..."

 Since she firmly believes it is an actual science lesson she thinks of doing it with Candide, whom she adores. "Cunegonde dropper her handkerchief, and Candide picked it up.  She quite innocently took his hand, he as innocently kissed hers with singular grace and ardour. Their lips met, their eyes flashed, their knees trembled, and their hands would not keep still." (page 21)  Another "awkward turtle" moment happened since the dad walked in on their nice little event.  Candide is kicked out of Westphalia and Cunegonde is depressed. Surprise Surprise. This forbidden love story reminds me of Romeo and Juliet. The only difference happens to be that Romeo actually got kicked out for killing someone while Candide got kicked out for "experimenting with sciences."

In the beginning of this blog I was talking about how pissed I was that the novel would actually be an optimistic fairytale.  Since the beginning of the book the story has changed. People have been kicked out of Westphalia and life has been turned upside down.  Maybe this story will be full of dark humor. After all there have already been clues of stupidity in this chapter.