Candide · Chapter
X: In What Distress Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman Arrived at Cadiz; and of Their Embarkation explained
Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman arrive in Cadiz after being robbed by a Grey Friar.
What happens
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. During the voyage, they discuss Pangloss's philosophy, with Candide optimistic about the New World, Cunégonde traumatized, and the Old Woman hinting at her own tragic past.
Themes in this chapter
Optimism vs. Pessimism
Candide clings to Pangloss's optimism about the New World being 'the best of all possible worlds,' while Cunégonde's trauma and the Old Woman's hinted suffering challenge this view.
Suffering and Human Cruelty
Cunégonde recounts her horrific experiences (rape, wounds, family deaths), and the Old Woman claims even greater misfortunes, highlighting pervasive cruelty.
Characters to notice
- Candide
Robbed of money and jewels; sells a horse; performs military exercises and becomes a captain; remains optimistic about the New World.
- Cunégonde
Weeps over the loss of her money and jewels; expresses fear and despair; skeptical of the Old Woman's claim to greater suffering.
- The Old Woman
Suggests selling a horse; rides behind Cunégonde; hints at her own tragic past and offers to show her backside as proof.
Key passages
“Who was it that robbed me of my money and jewels? ... How shall we live? What shall we do? Where find Inquisitors or Jews who will give me more?”
Cunégonde cries over the theft of her wealth and wonders how they will survive, sarcastically asking where they can find more Inquisitors or Jews to replace it.
Highlights Cunégonde's despair and her cynical view of her previous benefactors.
“We are going into another world ... and surely it must be there that all is for the best. For I must confess there is reason to complain a little of what passeth in our world in regard to both natural and moral philosophy.”
Candide hopes the New World will be perfect, admitting that the Old World has been flawed in both nature and morality.
Shows Candide's persistent optimism despite evidence of suffering.
“You complain ... alas! you have not known such misfortunes as mine.”
The Old Woman tells Cunégonde that her own suffering is far worse than anything Cunégonde has experienced.
Foreshadows the Old Woman's backstory and challenges Cunégonde's self-pity.