Symbols

=Symbols =

Candide is a symbol for Voltaire’s beliefs. Like Voltaire, Candide is unafraid to question the prevailing idea that this is the “best of all possible worlds.” Moreover, Candide represents the idea that what Leibniz says is not necessarily or very true at all.

 Pangloss is a symbol for Leibniz’s beliefs. His constant reminders that this is the “best of all possible worlds” parallels Leibniz’s refusal to abandon this belief, and he is consistently optimistic, despite having every reason not to be.