Candide, by Voltaire Essays - Picaresque Novels, Free Essays

Candide, by Voltaire Essays - Picaresque Novels, Free Essays Candide, by Voltaire Voltaire's Candide is a novel which contains conceptual ideas and at the same time is also exaggerated. Voltaire offers sad themes disguised by jokes and witticism, and the story itself presents a distinctive outlook on life. The crucial contrast in the story deals with irrational ideas as taught to Candide about being optimistic, versus reality as viewed by the rest of the world. The main theme which is presented throughout the novel is optimism. Out of every unfortunate situation in the story, Candide, the main character, has been advised by his philosopher-teacher that everything in the world happens for the better, because "Private misfortunes contribute to the general good, so that the more private misfortunes there are, the more we find that all is well" (Voltaire, p. 31). Pangloss, the philosopher, tries to defend his theories by determining the positive from the negative situations and by showing that misfortunes bring some privileges. As Candide grows up, whenever something unfortunate happens, Pangloss would turn the situation around, bringing out the good in it. Candide learns that optimism is "The passion for maintaining that all is right when all goes wrong " (Voltaire, p.86). According to Rene Pomeau, "Voltaire-Candide...have made him [Candide] acquainted with the bad and the good side of human existence. The moral of Candide is born out of its style; it is the art of extracting happiness from the desolate hopping-about of the human insect" (Adams; Pomeau p.137). Pomeau explains that Candide shows both sides of humanity; how both great and terrible events are standard in a human life. Also according to Pomeau, the whole point of the story is to debate between good and bad; for example, as Candide becomes more independent, he starts to doubt that only good comes out of life. Pangloss is a very hopeful character in the story because he refuses to accept bad. He is also somewhat naive and believes that he could make the world a better place by spreading his theories on optimism. When Candide had met up with Pangloss after a long period of time, Pangloss said that he was almost hanged, then dissected, then beaten. Candide asked the philosopher if he still thought that everything was for the better, and Pangloss replied that he still held his original views. No matter how little Pangloss believed in the fact that somehow everything would turn out well, he still maintained his original views. Voltaire exaggerates his point on optimism; there is nobody in reality who is positive about everything all the time, especially about something so horrible. One could conclude that Pangloss is an irrational and inane figure, and Voltaire tries to expose how incomprehensible his beliefs are which do not measure up to reality. According to Linguet, "Candide offers us the saddest of themes disguised under the merriest of jokes" (Adams; Wade p. 144). It seems as if Candide was written as a comedy; not because of humor, but because every time something bad occurs, a quick turn of events happens which bring everything back to normal. One moment Candide murders the brother of the woman he loves, the next moment he travels to a land where he sees women mating with monkeys. In instances like these, it doesn't seem like Voltaire is serious about tragic events. During the course of Candide's journey, an earthquake strikes, murdering thirty thousand men, women, and children. In reality, this is a horrible predicament to be involved with. In Pangloss' world, " It is impossible for things not to be where they are, because everything is for the best" (Voltaire, p. 35), meaning that the earthquake was necessary in the course of nature, and so there was definitely a rationale for the situation. To show contrast in the story, Voltaire introduces a character whose beliefs are completely opposite than the beliefs of Pangloss. This character is Martin, a friend and advisor of Candide who he meets on his journey. Martin is also a scholar, and a spokesman for pessimism. Martin continuously tries to prove to Candide that there is little virtue, morality, and happiness in the world. When a cheerful couple are seen walking and singing, Candide tells Martin "At least you must admit that these people are happy. Until now, I have not found in the whole inhabited earth...anything but miserable people. But this girl and this monk, I'd be willing to bet, are very happy creatures" (Voltaire, p. 58). "I'll bet they aren't" (Voltaire p. 58), replies Martin, and he bets Candide that the couple are, in fact, depressed, and are

Lieutenant General A.P. Hill in the Civil War

Lieutenant General A.P. Hill in the Civil War Born November 29, 1825, at his family plantation near Culpeper, VA, Ambrose Powell Hill was the son of Thomas and Frances Hill. The seventh and final of the couples children, he was named for his uncle Ambrose Powell   Hill (1785-1858) and Indian fighter Captain Ambrose Powell.   Referred to as Powell by his family, he was educated locally during his early years. At age 17, Hill elected to pursue a military career and received an appointment to West Point in 1842.   West Point Arriving at the academy, Hill became close friends with his roommate, George B. McClellan. A middling student, Hill was known for his preference for having a good time rather than academic pursuits. In 1844, his studies were interrupted after a night of youthful indiscretions in New York City. Contracting gonorrhea, he was admitted to the academy hospital, but failed to improve dramatically. Sent home to recover, he would be plagued by the effects of the disease for the remainder of his life, usually in the form of prostatitis. As a result of his health issues, Hill was held back a year at West Point and did not graduate with his classmates in 1846, which included notables such as Thomas Jackson, George Pickett, John Gibbon, and Jesse Reno. Dropping into the Class of 1847, he soon befriended Ambrose Burnside and Henry Heth. Graduating on June 19, 1847, Hill ranked 15th in a class of 38. Commissioned a second lieutenant, he received orders to join the 1st US Artillery which was engaged in the Mexican-American War. Mexico Antebellum Years Arriving in Mexico, Hill saw little action as the bulk of the fighting had finished. During his time there he suffered from a bout of typhoid fever. Returning north, he received a posting to Fort McHenry in 1848. The following year saw him assigned to Florida to aid in fighting the Seminoles. Hill spent the majority of the next six years in Florida with a brief interlude in Texas. During this time, he was promoted to first lieutenant in September 1851. Serving in an unhealthy climate, Hill contracted yellow fever in 1855. Surviving, he received a transfer to Washington, DC to work with the US Coast Survey. While there, he married Kitty Morgan McClung in 1859. This marriage made him brother-in-law to John Hunt Morgan. The marriage came after a failed pursuit of Ellen B. Marcy, daughter of Captain Randolph B. Marcy. She would later marry Hills former roommate McClellan. This would later lead to rumors that Hill fought harder if he thought McClellan was on the opposing side. The Civil War Begins On March 1, with the Civil War looming, Hill resigned his commission in the US Army. When Virginia left the Union the following month, Hill received command of the 13th Virginia Infantry with the rank of colonel. Assigned to Brigadier General Joseph Johnstons Army of the Shenandoah, the regiment arrived  at the First Battle of Bull Run that July but did not see action as it was assigned to guard Manassas Junction on the Confederate right flank. After service in the Romney Campaign, Hill received a promotion to brigadier general on February 26, 1862, and was given command of the brigade formerly belonging to Major General James Longstreet. The Light Division Serving gallantly during the Battle of Williamsburg and the Peninsula Campaign in the spring of 1862, he was promoted to major general on May 26. Taking command of the Light Division in Longstreets wing of General Robert E. Lees army, Hill saw substantial action against his friend McClellans army during the Seven Days Battles in June/July. Falling out with Longstreet, Hill and his division were transferred to serve under his former classmate Jackson. Hill quickly became one of Jacksons most reliable commanders and fought well at Cedar Mountain (August 9) and played a key role at Second Manassas (August 28-30). Marching north as part of Lees invasion of Maryland, Hill began bickering with Jackson. Capturing the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry on September 15, Hill and his division were left to parole the prisoners while Jackson moved to rejoin Lee. Completing this task, Hill and his men departed and reached the army on September 17 in time to play a key role in saving the Confederate right flank at the Battle of Antietam. Retreating south, Jackson and Hills relationship continued to deteriorate. Third Corps A colorful character, Hill typically wore a red flannel shirt in combat which became known as his battle shirt. Taking part in the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, Hill performed poorly and his men required reinforcement to prevent a collapse. With the renewal of campaigning in May 1863, Hill took part in Jacksons brilliant flanking march and attack on May 2 at the Battle of Chancellorsville. When Jackson was wounded, Hill took over the corps before being wounded in the legs and being forced to cede commander to Major General J.E.B. Stuart. Gettysburg With Jacksons death on May 10, Lee began to reorganize the Army of Northern Virginia. In doing so, he promoted Hill to lieutenant general on May 24 and gave him command of the newly formed Third Corps. In the wake of the victory, Lee marched north into Pennsylvania. On July 1, Hills men opened the Battle of Gettysburg when they clashed with Brigadier General John Bufords Union cavalry. Successfully driving back Union forces in concert with Lieutenant General Richard Ewells corps, Hills men took heavy losses. Largely inactive on July 2, Hills corps contributed two-thirds of the troops involved in the ill-fated Picketts Charge the next day. Attacking under the leadership of Longstreet, Hills men advanced on the Confederate left and were bloodily repulsed. Retreating to Virginia, Hill endured perhaps his worst day in command on October 14 when he was badly defeated at the Battle of Bristoe Station.   Overland Campaign In May 1864, Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant commenced his Overland Campaign against Lee. At the Battle of the Wilderness, Hill came under heavy Union assault on May 5. The next day, Union troops renewed their attack and nearly shattered Hills lines when Longstreet arrived with reinforcements. While fighting shifted south to Spotsylvania Court House, Hill was forced to cede command due to ill health. Though traveling with the army, he played no part in the battle. Returning to action, he performed poorly at North Anna (May 23-26) and at Cold Harbor (May 31-June 12). After the Confederate victory at Cold Harbor, Grant moved to cross the James River and capture Petersburg. Beaten there by Confederate forces, he began the Siege of Petersburg. Petersburg Settling into the siege lines at Petersburg, Hills command turned back Union troops at the Battle of the Crater and engaged Grants men several times as they worked to push troops south and west to cut the citys rail links. Though commanding at Globe Tavern (August 18-21), Second Reams Station (August 25), and Peebles Farm (September 30-October 2), his health began to deteriorate again and his missed actions such as Boydton Plank Road (October 27-28). As the armies settled into winter quarters in November, Hill continued to struggle with his health. On April 1, 1865, Union troops under Major General Philip Sheridan won the key Battle of Five Forks west of Petersburg. The next day, Grant ordered a massive offensive against Lees overstretched lines in front of the city. Surging forward, Major General Horatio Wrights VI Corps overwhelmed Hills troops. Riding to the front, Hill encountered Union troops and was shot in the chest by Corporal John W. Mauck of the 138th Pennsylvania Infantry. Initially buried in Chesterfield, VA, his body was exhumed in 1867 and moved to Richmonds Hollywood Cemetery.