For example, the old woman describes how “I grew in beauty, graces, and talents, in the midst of pleasures, respect, and hopes.” (36) to how “in three months’ time had undergone poverty and slavery, had been raped almost every day, had seen her mother cut into quarters, had endured hunger and war, and was dying of the plague in Algiers.” (39) With this almost over-the-top extensive list of horrors the old woman has experienced, Candide builds its case against metaphysical optimism. This is done by listing so many examples of horrible experiences that seem to challenge the idea that all in the world is for the best, such that the attempt of the optimist to explain their cause is worthy of mockery, as seen in the next
For example, the old woman describes how “I grew in beauty, graces, and talents, in the midst of pleasures, respect, and hopes.” (36) to how “in three months’ time had undergone poverty and slavery, had been raped almost every day, had seen her mother cut into quarters, had endured hunger and war, and was dying of the plague in Algiers.” (39) With this almost over-the-top extensive list of horrors the old woman has experienced, Candide builds its case against metaphysical optimism. This is done by listing so many examples of horrible experiences that seem to challenge the idea that all in the world is for the best, such that the attempt of the optimist to explain their cause is worthy of mockery, as seen in the next