It is well known that this novel is Voltaire’s …show more content…
For him to abandon this philosophy would force Candide come up with his own ideals and merits; his own philosophy, to be independent. Sadly, it is very hard to force a child to just grow up. We only see this maturity and independency at the end of the novel, after the world has beaten him down to the point that he is barely hanging on to his dream. His very will to survive is dependent on the wellbeing of his love interest, Cunegonde. Without her, he has no will power or reason to keep living. He can find no fulfillment in himself or what he might want to do. With no guide or romantic interest, Candide is empty and better off dead. Desperately clinging to any individual with a shred of confidence, Candide will run with any idea presented to him that makes any sense. Candide is a lost little boy, too scared to think for himself and take action for himself. Perhaps the main reason for Candide’s suffering truly lies in what Voltaire had intended for the character to represent; the victimized and innocent citizens of the class of wishful