Candide · Chapter
XII: The Adventures of the Old Woman Continued explained
The Old Woman continues her harrowing tale, revealing her identity as the daughter of Pope Urban X.
What happens
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 other misfortunes across multiple countries. She concludes by advising Cunégonde to find diversion and listen to the stories of others, asserting that few have not cursed their lives.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Human Cruelty
The Old Woman's narrative is a litany of extreme physical and emotional suffering, including rape, slavery, plague, and cannibalism.
Critique of Religious Hypocrisy
The Iman's sermon justifying cannibalism and the Old Woman's identity as a Pope's daughter highlight the corruption and absurdity within religious institutions.
The Search for Happiness
Despite her misery, the Old Woman clings to life, reflecting the human tendency to endure suffering rather than seek death.
Characters to notice
- The Old Woman
Reveals her identity as the daughter of Pope Urban X and recounts her extensive misfortunes.
- Cunégonde
Listens to the Old Woman's story and is asked about her experience with the plague.
- Pope Urban X
Identified as the father of the Old Woman.
- The Aga
An Aga of the Janissaries who owned the Old Woman and took her to Azof.
- Don Issachar
The Jew who employed the Old Woman as a servant and placed her near Cunégonde.
Key passages
“I waxed old in misery and disgrace, having only one-half of my posteriors, and always remembering I was a Pope's daughter.”
I grew old in suffering and shame, missing half my buttocks, yet never forgetting that I was the daughter of a Pope.
Highlights the Old Woman's enduring awareness of her noble birth despite her physical and social degradation.
“A hundred times I was upon the point of killing myself; but still I loved life. This ridiculous foible is perhaps one of our most fatal characteristics; for is there anything more absurd than to wish to carry continually a burden which one can always throw down?”
I often wanted to kill myself, but I still loved life. This foolish weakness is one of our worst traits; what could be more absurd than to keep carrying a burden you could drop at any moment?
Reflects the Old Woman's philosophical musing on the irrational human attachment to life despite suffering.