Candide, ou L'Optimisme

Voltaire's satirical farce tells of an ill-fated young man, Candide who, at the encouragement of his tirelessly optimistic tutor, travels the globe in search of his love, Lady Cunegonde. In the face of Candide's increasing misfortune, Dr. Vangloss, his tutor, remains eternally cheerful - which provides the focus for Voltaire's attack. Though it praises man's resilience, Candide attempts to demolish the image of suffering as a pathway to a greater good, as well as the view that life is precious, regardless of the miseries that fate brings.