‘Candide’ is a novella written by the French philosopher and writer Voltaire, not by George Bernard Shaw. It was first published in 1759.
The novella is a satirical work that follows the adventures of its protagonist, Candide, who is an innocent and optimistic young man. Throughout the story, Candide experiences a series of misfortunes, including being expelled from his comfortable home, witnessing natural disasters, and encountering various forms of human cruelty and folly. Despite these trials, Candide maintains his belief in the philosophy of his mentor, Dr. Pangloss, who espouses the idea that ‘all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.’
‘Candide’ is celebrated for its sharp wit, biting satire, and critique of optimism and theodicy (the attempt to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in a benevolent deity). Voltaire uses the character of Candide to expose the flaws and absurdities of philosophical optimism and to challenge prevailing notions of human nature, morality, and the nature of the universe.
While George Bernard Shaw was a playwright and critic known for his wit and social commentary, ‘Candide’ is not among his works. However, both Voltaire and Shaw were influential figures in the realm of satire and social criticism, and their works continue to be studied and appreciated for their enduring relevance and literary merit.
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