# IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew explained — Candide

> Chapter companion for Candide by Voltaire.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Religious Hypocrisy

The Grand Inquisitor, a religious authority, is killed while visiting his mistress, and his body is given a dignified burial while the Jew's is thrown on a dunghill.

### Suffering and Human Cruelty

Candide's violent acts are driven by jealousy and survival, and the chapter shows the brutal consequences of human passions and institutional oppression.

## Character check-ins

### Candide

Kills Don Issachar and the Grand Inquisitor in self-defense and to protect Cunégonde, then flees with her and the old woman.

### Cunégonde

Witnesses the killings and fears excommunication and death, but joins the flight to Cadiz.

### The Old Woman

Advises Candide and Cunégonde after the killings and arranges their escape on horseback.

### Don Issachar

Attacks Candide in a jealous rage and is killed by Candide's sword.

### The Grand Inquisitor

Enters Cunégonde's apartment and is killed by Candide without hesitation.

## Key lines

> This Issachar was the most choleric Hebrew that had ever been seen in Israel since the Captivity in Babylon.

Don Issachar was the angriest Jew in history.

_Voltaire uses hyperbolic comparison to emphasize Issachar's rage._

> Had not Pangloss been hanged, he would give us good counsel in this emergency, for he was a profound philosopher.

If Pangloss were still alive, he would know what to do.

_Candide still relies on Pangloss's philosophical guidance even after his death._

> When one is a lover, jealous and whipped by the Inquisition, one stops at nothing.

A jealous lover who has been whipped by the Inquisition will do anything.

_Candide justifies his killings as the natural result of his circumstances._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/ix-what-became-of-cun-gonde-candide-the-grand-inquisitor-and-the-jew
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters