In Candide,by Voltaire, the protagonist, Candide says “but let us cultivate our garden.” By writing this, Voltaire is conveying the idea of meliorsim. Meliorism is the belief that the world becomes better, and that humans can aid its advancement. Meliorism opposed the philosophy of optimism. Optimism is the belief that the actual world is the “best of all possible worlds.” In Candide,Voltaire criticizes the idea of optimism through Candide's travels, and all of the mishaps that occur through them. As Candide grows and learns from his experiences, his views on optimism begin to change. He begins to see the world as something that can be changed and made better.
Throughout the story Candide encounters adversities, and begins to wonder why all of these things happen in the world. His trusted friend, Dr. Pangloss, preaches the idea of optimism, that everything happens because it was made to be that way. When the Anabaptist, James is thrown overboard, Pangloss says that the Bay of Lisbon was created so James could be thrown into it. Pangloss gives this reasons like this throughout the book, and Candide begins to question it. After all of his adventures, Candide begins to see the flaws in this way of thinking. At the end of the book, Candide, his wife Cunegonde, her brother and assistant, Pangloss, and their friend Martin, were all living on a small farm, and hating their lives. One day, they meet an old man, who shows Candide that you do not need riches to make life pleasurable. As Candide reflects upon his conversation with the “Turk,” he realizes that they all need to work to make their lives better.
When Candide says “let us cultivate our garden,” he is referring to his life. The “cultivation” is the work that must be put into ones' life, to make it better. The “garden” is the boon, or the benefits one gets when applying hard work to their lives. When says this to Pangloss, he is telling him that the only way their lives can get better is if they work and try to be happy. This is the same sentiments that are in American Society, today.
In American Society, the philosophy of Meriolism, is reflected through the “Pursuit of Happiness.” In American Society, working for what you want, and what you need is the accepted standard of the Pursuit of Happiness. It is often frowned upon when a person does not go out and achieve things in life. Although it may not be known to most, the quote “let us cultivate our garden,” is a big part in American values, and is reflected through the “pursuit of happiness.” In America, it is possible for someone of the “lower” class to rise up and become a person with power. This is why American society supports the belief of working hard to get what you want. The harder you work, the more possibilities you open, and the more you can change your life, and possibly the world.
Throughout the story Candide encounters adversities, and begins to wonder why all of these things happen in the world. His trusted friend, Dr. Pangloss, preaches the idea of optimism, that everything happens because it was made to be that way. When the Anabaptist, James is thrown overboard, Pangloss says that the Bay of Lisbon was created so James could be thrown into it. Pangloss gives this reasons like this throughout the book, and Candide begins to question it. After all of his adventures, Candide begins to see the flaws in this way of thinking. At the end of the book, Candide, his wife Cunegonde, her brother and assistant, Pangloss, and their friend Martin, were all living on a small farm, and hating their lives. One day, they meet an old man, who shows Candide that you do not need riches to make life pleasurable. As Candide reflects upon his conversation with the “Turk,” he realizes that they all need to work to make their lives better.
When Candide says “let us cultivate our garden,” he is referring to his life. The “cultivation” is the work that must be put into ones' life, to make it better. The “garden” is the boon, or the benefits one gets when applying hard work to their lives. When says this to Pangloss, he is telling him that the only way their lives can get better is if they work and try to be happy. This is the same sentiments that are in American Society, today.
In American Society, the philosophy of Meriolism, is reflected through the “Pursuit of Happiness.” In American Society, working for what you want, and what you need is the accepted standard of the Pursuit of Happiness. It is often frowned upon when a person does not go out and achieve things in life. Although it may not be known to most, the quote “let us cultivate our garden,” is a big part in American values, and is reflected through the “pursuit of happiness.” In America, it is possible for someone of the “lower” class to rise up and become a person with power. This is why American society supports the belief of working hard to get what you want. The harder you work, the more possibilities you open, and the more you can change your life, and possibly the world.