# Candide — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Candide by Voltaire.

- [Candide](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/candide.md): Candide, a young man of gentle disposition, lives in the castle of the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. He is taught by the philosopher Pangloss that all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds. Can
- [How Candide Was Brought Up in a Magnificent Castle, and How He Was Expelled Thence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/i-how-candide-was-brought-up-in-a-magnificent-castle-and-how-he-was-expelled-thence.md): Candide, a gentle and simple-minded youth, lives in the castle of the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh in Westphalia. He is taught by the philosopher Pangloss, who insists that all is for the best in the best of all possible
- [II: What Became of Candide Among the Bulgarians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/ii-what-became-of-candide-among-the-bulgarians.md): Candide, expelled from the castle, wanders starving and cold until he is recruited by two men in blue who trick him into joining the Bulgarian army. He is trained harshly, beaten for his ineptitude, and later attempts to
- [How Candide Made His Escape from the Bulgarians, and What Afterwards Became of Him](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/iii-how-candide-made-his-escape-from-the-bulgarians-and-what-afterwards-became-of-him.md): Candide hides during a brutal battle between the Bulgarian and Abarian armies, witnessing horrific carnage. He escapes through devastated villages, eventually reaching Holland where he is rejected by a charitable orator 
- [IV: How Candide Found His Old Master Pangloss, and What Happened to Them](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/iv-how-candide-found-his-old-master-pangloss-and-what-happened-to-them.md): Candide encounters a disfigured beggar who turns out to be his former tutor Pangloss. Pangloss reveals that the castle of Thunder-ten-tronckh has been destroyed, the Baron and his family killed, and Cunégonde dead. He at
- [V: Tempest, Shipwreck, Earthquake, and What Became of Doctor Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/v-tempest-shipwreck-earthquake-and-what-became-of-doctor-pangloss-candide-and-james-the-anabaptist.md): Candide, Pangloss, and James the Anabaptist survive a violent storm and shipwreck, but James drowns after saving a brutish sailor. They reach Lisbon just as a devastating earthquake strikes, killing thousands. Amid the c
- [How the Portuguese Made a Beautiful Auto-Da-Fé, to Prevent Any Further Earthquakes; and How Candide Was Publicly Whipped](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/vi-how-the-portuguese-made-a-beautiful-auto-da-f-to-prevent-any-further-earthquakes-and-how-candide-was-publicly-whipped.md): After the Lisbon earthquake, the Portuguese authorities decide to hold an auto-da-fé to prevent further quakes. Pangloss is hanged, Candide is whipped, and two others are burned. Candide despairs at the cruelty of the wo
- [VII: How the Old Woman Took Care of Candide, and How He Found the Object He Loved](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/vii-how-the-old-woman-took-care-of-candide-and-how-he-found-the-object-he-loved.md): The old woman tends to Candide's wounds, providing him with shelter, food, and medical care. After several days, she leads him to a secluded house where he is reunited with Cunégonde, who survived the attack on her famil
- [VIII: The History of Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/viii-the-history-of-cun-gonde.md): Cunégonde recounts her harrowing story: the Bulgarian attack on the castle, her rape and enslavement, being sold to the Jew Don Issachar, and becoming the shared mistress of the Grand Inquisitor. She describes witnessing
- [IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/ix-what-became-of-cun-gonde-candide-the-grand-inquisitor-and-the-jew.md): Candide kills Don Issachar and the Grand Inquisitor in quick succession to protect Cunégonde, then flees with her and the old woman on horseback toward Cadiz.
- [X: In What Distress Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman Arrived at Cadiz; and of Their Embarkation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/x-in-what-distress-candide-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-arrived-at-cadiz-and-of-their-embarkation.md): Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman arrive in Cadiz after being robbed by a Grey Friar. Candide impresses a general with his military skills and is made a captain. They embark for Paraguay to fight the Jesuit Fathers. 
- [XI: History of the Old Woman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xi-history-of-the-old-woman.md): The Old Woman recounts her tragic life story, revealing she is the daughter of Pope Urban X and the Princess of Palestrina. She describes her privileged youth, her fiancé's sudden death, her capture by Sallee corsairs, t
- [XII: The Adventures of the Old Woman Continued](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xii-the-adventures-of-the-old-woman-continued.md): The Old Woman continues her harrowing tale, revealing her identity as the daughter of Pope Urban X. She recounts being sold into slavery, surviving the plague, enduring cannibalism during a siege, and suffering numerous 
- [XIII: How Candide Was Forced Away from His Fair Cunégonde and the Old Woman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xiii-how-candide-was-forced-away-from-his-fair-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman.md): Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman arrive in Buenos Aires and meet the proud Governor Don Fernando, who immediately desires Cunégonde. Candide naively reveals his intention to marry her, prompting the Governor to send
- [XIV: How Candide and Cacambo Were Received by the Jesuits of Paraguay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xiv-how-candide-and-cacambo-were-received-by-the-jesuits-of-paraguay.md): Candide and Cacambo flee Buenos Aires and travel to the Jesuit kingdom in Paraguay. They are disarmed and brought before the Commandant, who turns out to be the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh, Cunégonde's brother, believed
- [XV: How Candide Killed the Brother of His Dear Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xv-how-candide-killed-the-brother-of-his-dear-cun-gonde.md): Candide meets Cunégonde's brother, the Jesuit Baron, who recounts his survival and rise to colonel and priest in Paraguay. When Candide declares his intention to marry Cunégonde, the Baron violently rejects him, leading 
- [XVI: Adventures of the Two Travellers, with Two Girls, Two Monkeys, and the Savages Called Oreillons](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xvi-adventures-of-the-two-travellers-with-two-girls-two-monkeys-and-the-savages-called-oreillons.md): Candide and Cacambo, having fled the Jesuit camp, encounter two girls being chased by monkeys. Candide shoots the monkeys, only to discover they were the girls' lovers. The girls then denounce them to the Oreillons, who 
- [Arrival of Candide and His Valet at El Dorado, and What They Saw There](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xvii-arrival-of-candide-and-his-valet-at-el-dorado-and-what-they-saw-there.md): Candide and Cacambo, after a harrowing journey through dangerous terrain, discover the utopian land of El Dorado, where gold and jewels are treated as common pebbles, the people are polite, and all necessities are provid
- [XVIII: What They Saw in the Country of El Dorado](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xviii-what-they-saw-in-the-country-of-el-dorado.md): Candide and Cacambo arrive in El Dorado, a utopian kingdom where the streets are paved with precious stones, there is no religious conflict, no courts or prisons, and the people live in harmony and gratitude. They meet a
- [Chapter XIX: What Happened to Them at Surinam and How Candide Got Acquainted with Martin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xix-what-happened-to-them-at-surinam-and-how-candide-got-acquainted-with-martin.md): Candide and Cacambo lose most of their sheep and treasure during the journey to Surinam. In Surinam, Candide encounters a mutilated slave who reveals the brutal realities of colonial exploitation, leading Candide to reno
- [XX: What Happened at Sea to Candide and Martin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xx-what-happened-at-sea-to-candide-and-martin.md): Candide and the philosopher Martin sail from Surinam to Bordeaux, debating moral and natural evil. Martin declares himself a Manichean, believing the world is governed by a malignant being. They witness a naval battle in
- [Chapter XXI: Candide and Martin, Reasoning, Draw Near the Coast of France](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxi-candide-and-martin-reasoning-draw-near-the-coast-of-france.md): As Candide and Martin approach the coast of France, they discuss the nature of humanity and society. Martin describes his negative experiences in France, particularly in Paris, where he was robbed, imprisoned, and forced
- [XXII: What Happened in France to Candide and Martin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxii-what-happened-in-france-to-candide-and-martin.md): Candide and Martin travel to Paris, where Candide falls ill and is swarmed by doctors, devotees, and a priest demanding a bill for the afterlife. After recovering, they are taken to the theater by a Perigordian Abbé, who
- [XXIII: Candide and Martin Touched Upon the Coast of England, and What They Saw There](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxiii-candide-and-martin-touched-upon-the-coast-of-england-and-what-they-saw-there.md): Candide and Martin discuss the nature of the world as they approach England. Martin describes the English as atrabilious and notes the war with France over Canada. Upon arriving at Portsmouth, they witness the execution 
- [Of Paquette and Friar Giroflée](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxiv-of-paquette-and-friar-girofl-e.md): Candide and Martin are in Venice, waiting for Cunégonde and Cacambo. Candide is melancholy, but Martin argues that happiness is rare. They encounter Paquette and Friar Giroflée, who appear happy but reveal their miserabl
- [XXV: The Visit to Lord Pococurante, a Noble Venetian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxv-the-visit-to-lord-pococurante-a-noble-venetian.md): Candide and Martin visit the wealthy Venetian nobleman Lord Pococurante at his palace. Pococurante, though possessing every luxury, expresses profound boredom and dissatisfaction with his art, music, literature, and gard
- [Of a Supper Which Candide and Martin Took with Six Strangers, and Who They Were](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxvi-of-a-supper-which-candide-and-martin-took-with-six-strangers-and-who-they-were.md): Candide and Martin are about to have supper with six strangers at their inn when Cacambo appears, now a slave, and tells Candide that Cunégonde is in Constantinople. During the meal, each stranger is revealed to be a dep
- [Chapter XXVII: Candide's Voyage to Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxvii-candide-s-voyage-to-constantinople.md): Candide and Martin travel to Constantinople, where Candide is reunited with Cacambo and learns that Cunégonde has become ugly and is a slave. Candide ransoms Cacambo and then discovers that Pangloss and the Baron are als
- [Chapter XXVIII: What Happened to Candide, Cunégonde, Pangloss, Martin, etc.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxviii-what-happened-to-candide-cun-gonde-pangloss-martin-etc.md): Candide apologizes to the Baron for stabbing him, and the Baron explains how he was captured by Spanish troops, imprisoned, and later condemned to the galleys for bathing naked with a young Mussulman. Pangloss then recou
- [Chapter XXIX: How Candide Found Cunégonde and the Old Woman Again](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxix-how-candide-found-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-again.md): Candide, the Baron, Pangloss, Martin, and Cacambo arrive at the house of the Transylvanian prince and find Cunégonde and the old woman hanging towels. Candide is horrified by Cunégonde's ugliness but agrees to marry her 
- [XXX: The Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxx-the-conclusion.md): Candide reluctantly marries Cunégonde, but their life on the small farm is unhappy. After consulting a Dervish and meeting a contented Turkish farmer, Candide and his companions decide to cultivate their garden, finding 
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter provides extensive endnotes and commentary on the text of Candide, including explanations of historical references, translations, and clarifications of Voltaire's satirical allusions.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters