We’ve discussed how a push towards women equality has been a major theme of the Enlightenment. As an Enlightenment writer, how does Voltaire express his views on women’s rights in “Candide”?
It seems to me that Voltaire did not give the question too much thought and did not consider it a serious issue of the Enlightenment. The women of “Candide” are all undeveloped characters that do not contribute to the plot or theme of the story. He clearly illustrates the physical inferiority of women, all of them falling victim to gruesome rape on many occasions, which Voltaire describes very nonchalantly. This might point to his belief that women are inferior in other aspects as well. The women in his story are ranked based on their beauty, with no mention of the intellectual capacity. Women used their sexuality to escape dreadful situations by becoming someone’s lover or mistress. Even the brother of the main female character, Cunegonde, dictates who she can and can’t marry, clearly demonstrating women’s subservience. Cunegonde does not develop into an independent intellectual character by the end of the story, but instead becomes corrupt and ugly.
If Voltaire was such a serious advocate of reason and not relying on others or tradition for guidance, then why did he not promote women’s rights in his writings?
I agree with the fact that Voltaire does portray women as weak figures. The two main female characters, Cunegonde and the Old Woman, both suffer countless rapes. Also, the women of Candide are depicted as property of men, time and time again. Although it seems Voltaire does believe that women happen to be weaker than males,it may be possible, he satirizes this issue in hopes of promoting change. What do you think?
I feel like he perhaps did that on purpose, as part of the satire of the piece. It’s an all-around backwards story and it’s very possible that Voltaire used this disregard for female welfare to prove some sort of point.
Also, hasn’t it been said that Voltaire wrote the story based on the biblical story of Adam and Eve? I mention that because I have noticed that in the bible, rape and murder is often mentioned almost offhandedly.
Perhaps Voltaire was sticking with the theme?
I somewhat disagree that Voltaire was against women’s right. In Chapter 18, Candide visits Eldorado, to him the best place in all worlds. In his visit to this magnificent town he encountered twenty female guards standing outside the castle and inside the high officials, both male and female. To him, this imaginary place, which is supposed to be the best place in the world house equality for women as they hold guard positions, mostly man’s jobs in the old days, and a high position as the official. I though he felt as in the best place in the world everyone is equal, but only in the best place in the world. I feel like he put in all of the rape and abuse towards women in the book because that was a reality of life back then, an everyday experience. Wouldn’t showing them more equality make his book more of a fantasy for his time?
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why did he not promote women’s rights in his writings?
because womens rights are joke obviously