Tiffany James- English 145

Is that All You See Candide is a tale that allows you as a reader, while reading to observe and conclude on various concepts, such as, Optimism, human reasoning, orthodox religion, Deism (God created the world and then stands back, allowing nature to follow its own laws while never intervening), the need for war and disaster as a way of balance, and social class (wealthy/impoverished). However, as the story kept on unfolding, I saw how I had disregarded Voltaire’s depiction of the women in his story. They are put in burdened circumstances; portrayed as docile and submissive, not to mention they are sexualized throughout the story. This is normally how women are stereotyped in numerous plays, stories, and motion pictures. However, Voltaire uses this common characterization to expose the exploitation of women during the eighteenth century. Women had no genuine authority, as we see in Candide, regardless of their riches, nobility, or beauty.   Cunegonde is the young and be...

This week I really struggled, one reason being, I had a small surgery on the 30 th and, even though the  recovery has been going well, trying to read and write through the pain or under the influence of  medication has been a challenging balance act. In addition, last week I was overwhelmed and confused with the project work assignment.  So far, out of all the reading I enjoyed Tartuffe is my favorite . Maybe, because it was because it was hilariously entertaining, which made analyzing this play easy for me. I found myself enjoying writing about it, unlike the other readings where I am chasing my thoughts. However, the professor did point out that even though I had a great analysis, I needed to cite more of the text to back up my argument. I re-read my analysis, and I could see where I could have included direct lines from the text to make my argument stronger.   I appreciate the positive feedback and if I have time I would like to revisit my analysis to implemen...

Wu Cheng’En – a versatile poet (His novel The Journey of the West contains over 1, 700 poems). ·        Known for writing on Mythical and supernatural super natural subjects in a satirical style. ·        Minor officer serving under the Mind Dynasty (1368-1644). The Novel had a historical basis in the journey of the Monk Xu-anzang, or Tripitaka (596-664), who traveled from China to India in search of Buddhist scriptures during the reign of Emperor Taizong, on of the most splendid emperors of the Tank Dynasty (618-907).   Such Travels were forbidden. ·        Buddhism- immortality and ultimate virtue ·        Daoist – self-preservation and immortality (Confucian – Moral virtue) Chapter 1- There is an immortal stone rock, the rock gives birth to an egg, the egg gives birth to a monkey which disturbed heaven. He communed with other animals. Where...

Candide is a tale that allows you as a reader, while reading to observe and conclude on various concepts, such as: Optimism, human reasoning, orthodox religion, Deism (God created the world and then stands back, allowing nature to follow its own laws while never intervening), the need for war and disaster as a way of balance, and social class (wealthy/impoverished). Voltaire was an Enlightenment thinker, yet he was not an atheist but believed in Deism. He has an unyielding passion for social justice.   He addresses what many people want to ignore or sweep under the rug so to speak, “Candide encapsulated the many problems that stoked Voltaire’s angry and fed his satire: absolutism and religious bigotry unnecessary bloodshed, restrictions on freedom of speech and religion, and the intolerable reality of human suffering” (354). Therefore, he inspired great revolutionary leaders. Personally, I believe, great leaders such as Voltaire are great not because of their literary ability...