75 pages 2 hours read

Voltaire

Candide

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1759

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During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-5

Reading Check

1. What is the name of the Baron von Thunder-ten-tronckh’s daughter?

2. Why is Candide court-martialed?

3. Where do Candide and Pangloss wind up after they are shipwrecked?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Pangloss teach Candide?

2. How did Pangloss become a beggar in Holland?

Paired Resource

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

  • Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s comprehensive introduction to the life and thought of Leibniz, the philosopher best known in connection with Pangloss’ idea that we live in “the best of all possible worlds”
  • Connects to the theme of Optimism
  • How is Leibniz’s philosophical optimism connected with the rest of his thought?

The Hierarchy of European Nobility

  • A basic introduction to the nobility of Europe from nobilitytitles.net
  • Connects to the theme of Happiness and Individual Suffering
  • What makes one a noble in Candide’s world? Where does Candide fall within this hierarchy?

CHAPTERS 6-10

Reading Check

1. To whom does the Old Woman bring Candide?

2. What is Don Issacar’s arrangement with the Grand Inquisitor?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence.