# XVIII: What They Saw in the Country of El Dorado explained — Candide

> Chapter companion for Candide by Voltaire.

## What happens

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 wise old man who explains the history and customs of the land, and are later received by the King. Despite the perfection of El Dorado, Candide decides to leave, motivated by his desire to find Cunégonde and to become wealthy in Europe. The King helps them depart with a machine and many sheep laden with gold and jewels.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Religious Hypocrisy

El Dorado has no monks, no religious disputes, and no persecution, contrasting sharply with the religious intolerance and hypocrisy seen elsewhere in the novel.

### Social Class and Inequality

El Dorado is a classless society where all are priests and there are no lawsuits or prisons, highlighting the absurdity of European social hierarchies.

### Wealth and Corruption

The immense wealth of El Dorado is treated as ordinary, while Europeans' greed for gold and jewels is portrayed as irrational and destructive.

### The Search for Happiness

Candide experiences happiness in El Dorado but chooses to leave, illustrating the restless human pursuit of something more, even in paradise.

## Character check-ins

### Candide

Candide is amazed by El Dorado but ultimately chooses to leave, driven by his love for Cunégonde and a desire for wealth and status in Europe.

### Cacambo

Cacambo acts as interpreter and companion, sharing Candide's curiosity and later agreeing to leave El Dorado to return to Europe.

### Pangloss

Pangloss is not present but is referenced by Candide, who reflects that Pangloss would have been impressed by El Dorado.

### Cunégonde

Cunégonde is the motivation for Candide's departure; he hopes to ransom her from the Governor of Buenos Aires using the wealth from El Dorado.

### The Old Woman

Not present in this chapter.

### The Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh

Referenced by Candide when comparing El Dorado to the Baron's castle.

## Key lines

> We have, I believe, the religion of all the world: we worship God night and morning.

The old man explains that everyone in El Dorado worships the same God constantly.

_Highlights the universal and simple religion of El Dorado, free from dogma._

> We do not pray to Him; we have nothing to ask of Him; He has given us all we need, and we return Him thanks without ceasing.

The people of El Dorado do not pray for things because they have everything; they are perpetually grateful.

_Contrasts with the desperate prayers and rituals seen elsewhere in the novel._

> All men are free. Go when you wish, but the going will be very difficult.

The King tells Candide that he is free to leave, but the journey will be extremely hard.

_Reflects the theme of freedom and the practical obstacles to leaving utopia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters/xviii-what-they-saw-in-the-country-of-el-dorado
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/candide_se/chapters