LitWiki - User contributions [en]

Tartuffe

2006-04-26T14:53:59Z

Sadams: /* Themes */

[[Image:Tartuffe.jpg|right|thumb|Tartuffe Costume]]A [[comedy]] by [[Molière]].

==Background==
Tartuffe was written in 1664 during a time when the law was dictated by the Church. Typically, the Church was very corrupt and often sought personal wealth instead of spiritual growth. The Company of the Holy Sacrament was a Catholic group who believed in good deeds and had beliefs similar to those of the Puritans. They were known to place "spiritual advisors" within the homes of the people to ensure the families salvation. The group, in particular, did not like the play because it portrayed Tartuffe, who was spiritual advisor, as a scoundrel and not a pious man.

==Themes==
Tartuffe offers many themes for one to explore. Among them are the dangers of a heirarchy within a family, religious piety and how it can be exploited, and hypocrisy and its effects on the public's view of religion.

===Religious Piety===
Often times we forget to use our common sense and we will believe in things that aren't true, especially when we are blinded by trying to get into heaven. Orgon couldn't see Tartuffe for what he really was because of his quest for power within his family and within his religion. Orgon was hoping by allowing a poor religious man to live within his home that he was doing the greater good. If Orgon was just trying to do a good deed, rather than get ahead in the world of power, he would have been able to see Tartuffe for what he really was. Often times when we want something so bad, we fail to see things the way they really are.

=== Hypocrisy ===
Tartuffe provides a startling glimpse of hypocrisy where you would least expect to find it: from a saintly priest. Throughout the play, Tartuffe pretends to be a humble and deeply religious man who is only looking to protect the family from sin and scoundrels. He righteously states that "In all things, let the will of Heaven be done” as he dutifully accepts Orgon’s gift (42). He even has the audacity to tell Cleante that he was bound by God to take the money “Lest those to whom it might descend in time turn it to purposes of sin and crime" (61-62). Tartuffe has cleverly convinced Orgon that he only has his best interest at heart, when in fact he “Has in a hundred ways beguiled and tricked him, milked him of money, and with his permission established here a sort of Inquisition" (30-32). Tartuffe really wears a mask of piety that he displays when it suits his "Godly" purposes. On other occasions, such as when he is attempting to seduce Elmire, he removes his mask and shows his hypocritical nature and thus, his true self.

===Hierarchy===
The theme of Hierarchy is very prevalent in ''Tartuffe'' because the majority of the play is taking place in the family's home. The home is an example of hierarchy because it is organized in a way such that everyone has their own ranking. The home in which the play takes place is the Father's, Orgon, home. Orgon feels like what he says must go because he is the highest ranking character in the hierarchy. An example of this is when he tells his daughter, Mariane, that she must marry Tartuffe instead of Valere. She would not dare to disobey her father because he is sort of the "ruler" of the household. Someone who does not understand her place in the hierarchy is Dorine. She is the servant, but is one of the most out spoken of them all.

==Characters==
=== Tartuffe ===
The main antagonist of the play, his role as the hypocrite is concealed until very early on, though suspicion arises during the beginning of the play. He finds people's weaknesses and goes about any means necessary to get what he wants from them. His greatest flaw is his admiration of Elmire, which in the end reveals his true identity to everyone.

=== Orgon ===
Protagonist of the play. Husband to Elmire and father to Damis and Mariane. He lets his hunger for power cloud his common sense and ultimatly loses his family's respect. He is also very prideful and refuses to admit when he is wrong. His reckless actions puts the family in danger financially and bodily.

=== Damis ===
The son of Orgon and the stepson to Elmire. He is ruled by his immaturity and short temper and often finds himself in difficult situations. However, he is very loyal to his family and his actions are always done with good intentions.

=== Cléante ===
A man of words, he tries to reason everything in life for the better. However, Madame Pernelle thinks that his words "aren't suitable for decent folk to hear." (1.1.38) He is the one person who Orgon usually listens to.

=== Dorine ===
The lady's-maid of Mariane , very "out of place," constantly interjecting with her opinion and very talkative; not the typical personality for a lady's-maid. Dorine is essential to the comical aspects of the play. It seems her main purpose in the play is for the comic relief, and benefits the family as a level head.

=== Mariane ===
Daughter of Orgon, engaged to Valére, is the subject of controversy when Orgon decides that she is to marry Tartuffe. She is a very good and proper daughter and always tries to obey;even when it causes her personal grief. She eventually decides to stand up for her happiness and goes against her father's orders.

=== Elmire ===
Orgon's second wife. She is presumably significantly younger than Orgon. She is the object of Tartuffe's affection, and ultimately the one who brings out Tartuffe's corruptions by flirting with him with Orgon in concealed presence.

=== Valére ===
He represents the loyal "Underdog" of the play. He loves Mariane, and his only wish is to have her hand in marriage. Even though Orgon breaks his promise to Valere of marriage to Mariane, he still rallies for the family's cause because of his love for her. He shows true loyalty, and is rewarded his heart's desire at the end.

=== Madame Pernelle ===
Orgon's mother. She is the "Lady of the House". Very outspoken and opinionated, and believes in Tartuffe's sencerity as a pious man. She also wants attention and for the people in the house to listen to her and her opinions.

==Summary==
===Act I=== Act I starts with Madame Pernelle appalled by the fact that no one listens to her and she goes off on all of the people in the room. She tells everyone what is on her mind about the individual. Damis and Dorine argue about Tartuffe's credibility with Madame Pernelle. Orgon returns to only be concerned about Tartuffe, who has Orgon praising him. Cleante questions the engagement of Mariane and Valere and goes to warn Valere that Orgon is not keeping his promise.

===Act II===
Marianne asks her father, Orgon, about her marriage to Valere but he says he plans to wed her to Tartuffe. She is in love with Valere and is distraught by her father's decision. She begs her father not to force this disgusting arrangement upon her.

===Act III=== Act III starts with Damis rambling to Dorine about his father’s plan to force Mariane to marry Tartuffe. Dorine tries to get rid of him because she has already made arrangements for Elmire to talk to Tartuffe. Damis won’t leave and Tartuffe is coming so Damis hides in a closet.

Tartuffe enters and addresses Dorine and asks her to cover up her breast. He says that the flesh is weak, and unclean thoughts are difficult to control. Dorine says that she could see him completely naked and not have any unclean thoughts. Then she tells him that Elmire is coming and wants to speak with him.

Elmire enters and Tartuffe starts complementing her beautiful body and states how happy he is to be alone with her. She tells him that she wants to talk about a private matter and he says he been waiting for the moment to open his heart to her. He slides closer to her and starts to tell her how he admires her. He puts his had on her knee and she begins to slide away from him as he slides closer. Elmire getting back to the subject asks him about her husband breaking his promise to his daughter. He says that Orgon mentions it but he doesn't want to marry Mariane, because he has his mind on someone else. He keeps talking about how much he likes her. Then she reminds him of his religious status, but he says even religious men are weak when it comes to her charms. He offers to give her his love and assures that he will protect her from the ridicule of others, because he also wants to protect his self. Elmire makes a deal with Tartuffe. She will not tell her husband about what he did if he persuaded Orgon to let Mariane marry Valere.

===Act IV===

Act IV begins with a discussion between Cleante and Tartuffe, in which Cleante advises Tartuffe that causing problems within the family goes against his Christian beliefs and preaching. Tartuffe claims to harbor no ill will against Damis for his having told Orgon of Tartuffe's proclaimations to Elmire in the previous act. Tartuffe also claims to accept Orgon's bequethment of an inheritance for the sole purpose of safe-guarding the wealth from the sinners.

Dorine, Elmire, and Mariane enlist Cleante's assistance in an attempt to convince Orgon to disregard his intentions to force Mariane to marry Tartuffe. However, Orgon cannot be swayed from his decision, even though Mariane would gladly give up her inheritance to get out of such a fate. Orgon decides that Mariane must marry Tartuffe more than ever, simply because she dislikes the man so much.

Elmire realizes that Orgon's opinions of Tartuffe can only be swayed were he to witness the man's true nature for himself. Thus, she proposes to trick Tartuffe into re-admitting the feelings he proclaimed for her earlier while Orgon hides under a table. Tartuffe does admit his feelings and requests physical proof that Elmire returns his feelings for her. He then proceeds to speak of how Orgon is completely incompetant. Tartuffe's disloyal words regarding Orgon prove to be the final straw, for Orgon tells Tartuffe to leave the house immediately. Tartuffe promises retribution. As the final scene closes, Orgon makes reference to a strong box, the significance of which will not become apparent until the next act.

===Act V===

Cleante and Orgon start of this act deliberating about what to do with the current situation. Orgon tells that he will never trust another pious man. Cleante then explains to him how he is never rational and can not take a middle ground in anything. It is then that Damis comes in and talks of how he will go and seek revenge upon Tartuffe. Cleante, again the voice of reason, talks of how violence can not solve problems.

Madame Pernelle, Mariane, Elmire, and Dorine then come into the act. Madame Pernelle explains how she still believes that Tartuffe could be no scoundrel and would never harm anyone. Orgon tries to explain to her about Tartuffe's deceit but she will still not believe a word. It is then that Monsieur Loyal, the bailiff, shows up with some bad news for Orgon. He tells that the entire estate belongs to Tartuffe and that everyone has till morning to leave the estate.

Valere soon shows after Monsieur Loyal has left and speaks that he has more bad news. He warns Orgon that there is a warrant out for him and the police are on their way to get him. Before Orgon can escape though Tartuffe shows up with an officer to stop him. This is when a twist forms and the officer actually arrests Tartuffe. The King knew of Orgon from the war and how Orgon had helped him. He saw through Tartuffe and realized that something was not right. So the play ends with a happy ending, Tartuffe goes off to jail and everything is returned to Orgon.

== Related Materials ==
* [[Literary Terms]]
* [[Comedy]]
* [[Satire]]

== Productions and Translations ==
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228925/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD0xfGZiPXV8cG49MHxrdz0xfHE9dGFydHVmZmV8ZnQ9MXxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8Y289MXxodG1sPTF8bm09MQ__;fc=2;ft=21;fm=1 Kirk Browning]

==Critical Perspectives==
* Lucas, Gerald. "[http://earthshine.org/node/406 Keeping Up Appearances]." 15 Jan 2006.

==Additional Resources==
* [http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/eng252/tartuffestudy.htm Tartuffe Study Guide]

[[Category:World Literature]]

The Metamorphosis

2006-04-17T17:35:43Z

Sadams: /* Major Themes */

==Summary==
Gregory Samsa is a traveling salesman who financially supports his family. He wakes up in the morning to find out he has been transformed into a Dung Beetle. He is in shock after his reality sets in and tries to figure out how he is going to get to work. Although they try to assimilate the change, his family is horrified and keeps Gregory locked in his room. Gregory eventually dies, leaving his family free.

==Study Guide==
*[[The Metamorphosis: Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
*[[The Metamorphosis: Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
*[[The Metamorphosis: Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]

===Chapter 1 Summary===
The first chapter of The Metamorphosis is the chapter that Gregory Samsa wakes up to find that he has morphed into a bug. The bug is never truly revealed and Kafka wanted it to be that way. Kafka said that a "concrete image would be too distracting and shut off sympathy" (Fleissner 225), so the true identity of the bug is left up to the reader.

Gregory's parents worry about him when he has not gotten up to go to work, so his family goes to his room and then Gregory's chief clerk comes to his house to see why Gregory has not come to work. Gregory hears that that the clerk has come to check on him so he tries to make it out of his room by turning the key with his mouth and when he opens door, he frightens his family and the clerk, sending the clerk running and sends his father into a frenzied state to put Gregory back in his room. Gregory’s mother faints when she sees him. His family stays away from him, careful not to disturb him or disturb themselves. Gregory eventually loses his human voice and takes on all appearances and actions of a bug. The chapter ends when “The door was banged to with the stick, and at last there was silence” (1976). This is when Gregory’s father successfully shoves him back to his room away from the rest of the family for the time being.

===Chapter 3 Summary===

It has been a month since Gregory’s injury form the apple. He now resembles an “elderly invalid” and has trouble with mobility. Gregory’s parents and sister all have jobs now; his mother works as a seamstress, his father works at the bank and his sister works as a shop assistance. A new maid has also been hired. Gregory spends most of his days and nights sleeping and thinking about his family and his former job. His sister Meg begins spending less time with him and his appetite has begun to deplete. Three lodgers come to stay at his house. While they are there, the door where Gregory can see out of stays shut so he can not see out. One night, Meg plays the violin for the men. The door that is usually shut was left open by the maid and Gregory peeps out. The middle lodger spots him and is grossed out. He gives notice to Gregory’s parents that they will be leaving and that they do not intend to pay for their stay because of the filthy conditions. The next morning, the maid goes in to clean Gregory’s room and finds him dead. She informs his family and they decide to move to a smaller, less expensive apartment. The chapter ends with talk of finding Meg a husband.

==Major Themes==

===Alienation===
The theme of alienation plays a major role in the story because Gregory is alienated from his family and society before the metamorphosis occurs and even more so afterwards. Kafka uses the theme of alienation in this story to "comment on the human need to experience love and acceptance" (Hughes). Gregory's mother tells his boss when they first discover that something is wrong, "He's not well, sir, you can take it from me. What else would make him miss his train? Why, the boy thinks of nothing but his work! It makes me quite cross that he never goes out in the evening..." (1970). Before the metamorphosis, Gregory's work is what alienates him from his family and society.

After the metamorphosis, however, it is his distinct features that alienate him. One example of the alienation is that his family locks him in his bedroom. Gregory is not allowed to be a part of the family. Gregory then has to make the adjustment from being a man in the working world and traveling everyday, to being a prisoner in his own bedroom (Hughes). Another way that Gregory's family alienates him is that when they talk about him, they openly talk about his features in front of him because they think that he cannot understand what they are saying. "If he understood what we said...we might be able to come to an arrangement with him. But as things are..." (1995). They refer to Gregory as "it" rather than by his name. "It has to go...it's the only way, father. You must just try to get out of the habit of thinking that it's Gregory" (1995). In this way, the reader finds out that the family has stopped acknowledging Gregory as their son. The family also treats Gregory like an animal by the way that they feed him. Gregory's sister would bring in scraps from the table that the family wouldn't eat to feed him. "She brought him a whole selection of things, all laid out on an old newspaper, to see what he liked. There were some old half rotten vegetables; the bones from supper, covered with congealed white sauce; some raisins and almonds; a piece of cheese...two days old; a slice of dry bread..." (1978). The family treated him like an animal, rather than their son who got sick and needed his family to look after him.

===Novella===
Technically a theme, but more of a genre so to speak, that is unknown to most of us present day readers of Kafka is novella. "A novella is a short novel; a narrative work of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prose prose] fiction somewhat longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. A common length is about 50 to 100 pages. The extra length is generally used for more character development than is possible in a short story, but without the much greater character and plot development of a novel. Novellas often are characterized by satire or moral teaching"(Wikipedia).

Satire: This is clearly evident as "[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/The_Metamorphosis#Summary The Metamorphosis] is obviously a story about alienation. Gregor's life is dictated by his dead-end job and family responsibilities to the extent that even when he travels to different towns, he prefers to stay in his hotel room studying train timetables rather than experience what the new location has to offer. That isolation is mirrored in his relationship with his family, for whom he is the bread-winner but from whom he locks himself away at night. This alienation becomes so pronounced that, one day, he discovers himself to be literally no longer human. Gregor's earlier sentiment is reciprocated when his family begins locking and bolting the door shut behind him in his room. Late in the story, he briefly considers what it means to be 'human'; if he can be so moved by his sister's music then surely he cannot be an animal. And ultimately, his acceptance that he must go shows an act of genuine humanity" (BBC).

Moral Teaching: Try interpreting the story without Gregor's transformation. "In this interpretation, the other characters in the story would not see a man-sized beetle. Instead, they see a man so alienated from reality that he chooses to reject it totally. He is still a man, the same man they saw the previous day, but now he is crawling awkwardly on the floor and squeaking rather than speaking. He would prefer the shame of living as an insect to the hopelessness of living as a man. He would rather live in squalor and eat scraps from the rubbish than deal with the mind-numbing sameness of his life and accept responsibility for changing it. The abhorrence the family displays upon seeing him would still be the same - perhaps it would be even greater if they still just saw a man. They would be forced to accept the situation in the same way; still hoping [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/The_Metamorphosis#Gregory_Samsa Gregor] will put himself right before finally admitting the man they knew will never return. As nightmarish as the scenario presented in the book is, maybe the only thing worse than inexplicably transforming into a giant bug overnight is wishing you had" (BBC).

===Reversal of Roles===

At the begining Gregory is the one who supports his family. He is bringing home the money while his father sits in his chair and sleeps. This may have "crippled the father's self-esteem because he took over the father's position in the family" (Coulehan). After Gregory's transformation, the roles reversed and the father re-assumes his positon as the provider forthe family. Gregory now becomes weak and his father kills him.

===Humanity===

The theme of humanity is shown in the story by how it is taken away from Gregor. His humanity is slowly taken away from him throughout the story not just by his transformation into a bug. Gregor’s first link to humanity that is taken away was that of him being the bread winner for the family. “Gregors humanity, to the extent that his parents and sister acknowledge it, is inextricably tied to his function as economic provider.” (Rowe). Later in the story more is pulled away when Grete begins taking objects out of his room. This made Gregory reminisce about his human life. “They were clearing his room out, taking everything that was dear to him…”(p.1985). Here the last things that ever tied him to having a human existence were removed.

===Materialistic===

Modern Society is leading us down a path to care more about the material things rather than the things that truly matter. Gregory Samsa, the one person who cared more about his family than money, worked long hours at a job that he disliked not because of his love for the job, but so that his family could have a good life. His family on the other hand was enjoying a work free life. Mankind gets so caught up in the bureaucracy of society that we sometimes forget what what matters most. We get jobs so that we can buy the materialistic things we desire. This need for money and material things can change our mindset and forget what is truly important in our lives. In, The Metamorphosis, Gregory turns into some sort of insect, while this is something that is very dramatic and would be very hard to deal with, Kafka is trying to show how Gregory’s family rejects him, not only because of his appearance but because he can no longer go to work, no longer will his family be able live off the income he generates, no more material things without a little hard work. After the metamorphosis Gregory will no longer be able to fit into society, therefore his family begins to shun him. Not one of his family members ever tries to find out what happened and what could be done to fix it. One by one Gregory’s family members grow further away from him, forgetting all of the selfless deeds he did for all of them.

==Characters==

===Gregory Samsa===
A traveling salesman responsible for providing for his family. His metamorphosis into a insect leaves a stuggle between his human mind and insect needs.

===Mother===

===Father===

===Grete===
The sister of Gregory Samsa who feeds him and takes care of him.

==Study Questions==
#What sort of bug does Gregory Samsa change into overnight?
#What is the significance of Gregory's job? How does his job effect his family?
#How does the chief clerk from Gregory's job act towards the Samsa's and in general about the entire situation?
#What two people does Gregory think would be the "strongest" and most able to help get him out of bed in the morning? What do you think that this signifies?
#What family member feeds Gregory after he is changed into a bug?
#What is the outside weather like during the "Metamorphosis"? Does this climate help set the mood at all?
#What type of relationship does Gregory have with his sister Meg? How would you describe it?
#How does Gregory die at the end of "The Metamorphosis"?

==External Links==

==Works Cited==

Coulehan, Jack. "The Metamorphosis". Bantam (New York)1997.

Hughes, Katherine. "Seperate and Alone: Alienation as a Central Theme in Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Kafka's Metamorphosis." 9 November 2002. 17 April 2006.

Fleissner, Robert F. "Is Gregor Samsa a Bed Bug? Kafka and Dickens Revisited." ''Studies in Short Fiction''. Vol. 22, Issue 2 (1985): p 225.

"Novella". Wikipedia. 11 April 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 17 April 2006.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novella>.

"Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis' ". Ed. Archer, Lincoln. 25 October 2004. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/home/d/ BBC]. 17 April 2006.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3023065>.

[[Category:World Literature]]

Baudelaire

2006-03-30T21:11:26Z

Sadams:

==Biography==
Charles Baudelaire was called both the "first modern poet" and the "father of modern criticism." Baudelaire is the most widely read French poet around the world. Baudelaire was born in Paris on April 9, 1821. His mother, Caoline Archimbaut-Dufays gave birth to Charles when she was twenty-eight and his father was Francois Baudelaire was sixty-one. His father was an artist and Charles often watched him paint. His father died when he was only six. A year after his father died his mother married Jacques Aupick. He was a strict discipliarian and sent Charles to a boarding school. He didn't fit in there and often picked fights with students and even his teachers. In 1839 the family moved back to Paris. This was the year Baudelaire was going to get his baccalaureate, but he fell short and was expelled. In 1841 he was sent on a voyage to the Indies and after ten months called it quits and requested to go home to Paris. When he turned twenty-one he inherited a small fortune from his father. His mother and step father obtained a court order to watch how he spent his money. Charles was enraged that his mother would only give him a small allowance every month. In 1842 Charles had an affair with Jeanne Duval. She was a mixed race of black and white, or other wise known as Creole in New Orleans. Charles often used his talents of writing to shock and astonish society. He is well known for his immoral, cynical,and beauty style of writing. In 1857 Charles work was seized by the French police and he was forced to omit six of his poems and to pay a hefty fine. After he realized that he had the advantage of soceity he published his work as a critic in 1845,1846 and 1859. This work would be called Salons. Throughout his career he struggled with an Opium and hash addiction. He also was infatuated with sex and its pleasures. This is basically how he died. In 1862 he had a minor heart attack due to his syphillis. While he was in Belgium Charles contracted hemiplegia and aphasia. His final resting place is where he died in Paris on August 31, 1867.

==Her Hair==

===Themes===

===Study Questions===

==To The Reader==

===Themes===
1. The evils on society and the temptations that we can't resist. It seems to be a recurring that theme that the general public can't resist the temptations that the devil throws at us. "The devil, watching by our sickbeds, hissed old smut and folk-songs to our soul, until the soft and precious metal of our will boiled off in vapor for this scientist." (1544). In this stanza from the poem we can see that the devil is merely a scientist testing experiments on society. When our sins come unbearable to us the devil uses his evil ways to tempt us. "Each day his flattery makes us eat a toad, and each step forward is a step to hell," (1544). Baudelaire is expressing is pessimistic view onto society, and complains of our lack of motivation to further ourselves from evil. "It's BOREDOM. Tears have glued its eyes together." (1544).

===Study Questions===
1. What are the faults, or sins, that Baudelaire believes plagues the human race?

2. Why do you think, according to Baudelaire, "we play to the grandstand with our promises"?

===Relating to the Author===
Baudelaire had a very pessimistic outlook on society, he was continuously complaining that our free will isn't strong enough throughout the poem. He once said that "we must restrain our natural impulses in order to be good." In the 1st stanza of the poem we see that our infatuation, sadism, lust, and avarice are all natural impulses according to Baudelaire. More on our free will, in the poem he points out that the devils flattery is so strong that we would eat a toad just because he advised it.
==Work Cited==

Baudelaire

2006-03-30T20:41:02Z

Sadams: /* Her Hair */

Baudelaire

2006-03-30T20:40:34Z

Sadams: /* Her Hair */

Faust: Outside the City Gate

2006-03-15T19:10:07Z

Sadams: /* Study Questions */

==Summary==
It is Easter Sunday, and the commoners bustle about, concerned with the things that concern them at different times in their lives. Faust and Wagner have a stroll and a conversation in the waning afternoon; they seem out of place. Wagner is uncomfortable as he "can't abide the least vulgarity" (l. 721) and Faust's presence seems to be an event, suggesting that he rarely comes out of his apartment. Faust is recognized and praised as the fearless son of a great doctor. Faust drinks from a cup that is proffered, and he and Wagner continue on their way. Wagner observes that Faust should be proud of the esteem that the commoners show him. The latter believes that he is undeserving of their praise, for he and his father killed many more people than they helped, a result, perhaps, of a prideful arrogance.

Faust still relishes something beyond his book knowledge, though it remains ambiguous. He seems to crave something elemental in Nature, unfettered by the constraints of reason (cf. ll. 888-891). This talk worries Wagner who cautions Faust against it. Faust then sees a black poodle following them. It seems lost and well trained. Faust brings it with them as they enter the city.

==Notes==
===The Significance of Easter in Christian Beliefs(Roman Catholic Church)===
The Roman Catholic Church views Easter as a time of resurrection closely associated with the rebirth of the Christ. It is also a period of introspection where the individual should examine what is keeping them from being close to God and try to eliminate it.

===Lines 585-660===
St. Andrews Eve, as it should be noted, is a time for young lovers to consult the occult (ie. fourtunetellers and such) about who to be interested in. This could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing on the part of Goethe as the Friend of the Burgher's Daughter says that she "shall never find him" referring to the love that the fortunetellers told her about. (line 660)

===Lines 680-717 Faust's Description of Seasons===
Faust's description personify the workings of the world with such phrases as, "White-bearded winter, old and frail, retreats into his mountain fastness" and "But the sun can bear with white no longer". This lends even more to the prevalent [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/wicca Wiccan-esque] view of the universe that is fostered in the play mainly by Fausts's study of the Black Arts.

===Faust's Dissatisfaction With His Lineage Lines784-833===

==Commentary==
Faust and Wagner interact with the public, which display gratitude for the acts of kindness that Faust and his father did for them. “Indeed it’s only right that you should be with us this happy day, who when our times were bitter, proved himself our friend in every way. Many a one stands in his boots here whom your good father, the last minute, snatched from the hot grip of the fever, that time he quelled the epidemic. And you yourself, a youngster then, never shrank back: every house the pest went in, you did too. Out they carried many a corpse, but never yours. Much you went through: Us you saved, and God saved you” (539).
Wagner explains that Faust should feel gratification for the way the peasants treat him, but Faust feels as if he has done no good and feels as if he has let them down.
Faust begins to wish for things that are inhuman, almost foreshadowing a date with the devil. “If only I had wings to bear me up into the air and follow after!”(541).
Faust states that he has two souls living within him trying to establish that he is a good man with evil tendancies. “Two souls live in me, alas, forever warring with each other. One, amorous of the world, with all its might grapples it close, greedy of all its pleasures; the other fights to rise out of the dust up , up into the heaven of our great forebears”(542).
Faust notices that there is a black dog “coursing back and forth” (542). Faust noticed that the dog is circling around them and he exemplifies more foreshadowing by stating, “Him winding a magic snare, quietly, around our feet, a noose which he’ll pull tight in the future, when the time is ripe” (542).
Faust decides to adopt the dog.

Lastly, Faust envies the townspeople's humble, unthinking acceptance of the world. His highly developed spiritual side will not allow him to follow the townspeople's example. (Milch)

==Study Questions==
#What was the reasoning for Faust and Wagner’s visit outside the city’s gate?
#What animal does Faust aqcuire at the end of this scene? What is its significance later?
#Is Faust well respected in society? How does he feel about his status?
#What is the significance of the current date in this scene?
#Why does Faust pursue something "beyond his book knowledge"?
#Describe the duality that exists in Faust's soul.
#What does Faust notice about the animal he decides to adopt?
#Is there meaning behind Faust and Wagner's meeting of the animal?
#Is there any underlying meaning of the dog or is just a way for Mephisto to gain entry into Faust’s home?

==External Resources==

==Works Cited==
*[http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/faust.html Study guide and Character Analysis]
*[http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/faust12.asp Pink Monkey Notes on Faust]
*[http://www.ucalgary.ca/~esleben/faust/goethe/synopsis.html Synopsis on Faust]
*Milch, Robert . Cliff's Notes on Faust. Lincoln: Cliff's Notes Incorporated, 1951.

----
< [[Faust: Night (1)|Night]] | [[Faust Summary, Commentary, Notes]] | [[Faust: Faust's Study (1)|Faust's Study (1)]] >

[[Category:World Literature]]

Faust: Outside the City Gate

2006-03-15T19:09:56Z

Sadams: /* Study Questions */

==Summary==
It is Easter Sunday, and the commoners bustle about, concerned with the things that concern them at different times in their lives. Faust and Wagner have a stroll and a conversation in the waning afternoon; they seem out of place. Wagner is uncomfortable as he "can't abide the least vulgarity" (l. 721) and Faust's presence seems to be an event, suggesting that he rarely comes out of his apartment. Faust is recognized and praised as the fearless son of a great doctor. Faust drinks from a cup that is proffered, and he and Wagner continue on their way. Wagner observes that Faust should be proud of the esteem that the commoners show him. The latter believes that he is undeserving of their praise, for he and his father killed many more people than they helped, a result, perhaps, of a prideful arrogance.

Faust still relishes something beyond his book knowledge, though it remains ambiguous. He seems to crave something elemental in Nature, unfettered by the constraints of reason (cf. ll. 888-891). This talk worries Wagner who cautions Faust against it. Faust then sees a black poodle following them. It seems lost and well trained. Faust brings it with them as they enter the city.

==Notes==
===The Significance of Easter in Christian Beliefs(Roman Catholic Church)===
The Roman Catholic Church views Easter as a time of resurrection closely associated with the rebirth of the Christ. It is also a period of introspection where the individual should examine what is keeping them from being close to God and try to eliminate it.

===Lines 585-660===
St. Andrews Eve, as it should be noted, is a time for young lovers to consult the occult (ie. fourtunetellers and such) about who to be interested in. This could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing on the part of Goethe as the Friend of the Burgher's Daughter says that she "shall never find him" referring to the love that the fortunetellers told her about. (line 660)

===Lines 680-717 Faust's Description of Seasons===
Faust's description personify the workings of the world with such phrases as, "White-bearded winter, old and frail, retreats into his mountain fastness" and "But the sun can bear with white no longer". This lends even more to the prevalent [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/wicca Wiccan-esque] view of the universe that is fostered in the play mainly by Fausts's study of the Black Arts.

===Faust's Dissatisfaction With His Lineage Lines784-833===

==Commentary==
Faust and Wagner interact with the public, which display gratitude for the acts of kindness that Faust and his father did for them. “Indeed it’s only right that you should be with us this happy day, who when our times were bitter, proved himself our friend in every way. Many a one stands in his boots here whom your good father, the last minute, snatched from the hot grip of the fever, that time he quelled the epidemic. And you yourself, a youngster then, never shrank back: every house the pest went in, you did too. Out they carried many a corpse, but never yours. Much you went through: Us you saved, and God saved you” (539).
Wagner explains that Faust should feel gratification for the way the peasants treat him, but Faust feels as if he has done no good and feels as if he has let them down.
Faust begins to wish for things that are inhuman, almost foreshadowing a date with the devil. “If only I had wings to bear me up into the air and follow after!”(541).
Faust states that he has two souls living within him trying to establish that he is a good man with evil tendancies. “Two souls live in me, alas, forever warring with each other. One, amorous of the world, with all its might grapples it close, greedy of all its pleasures; the other fights to rise out of the dust up , up into the heaven of our great forebears”(542).
Faust notices that there is a black dog “coursing back and forth” (542). Faust noticed that the dog is circling around them and he exemplifies more foreshadowing by stating, “Him winding a magic snare, quietly, around our feet, a noose which he’ll pull tight in the future, when the time is ripe” (542).
Faust decides to adopt the dog.

Lastly, Faust envies the townspeople's humble, unthinking acceptance of the world. His highly developed spiritual side will not allow him to follow the townspeople's example. (Milch)

==Study Questions==

#What animal does Faust aqcuire at the end of this scene? What is its significance later?
#Is Faust well respected in society? How does he feel about his status?
#What is the significance of the current date in this scene?
#Why does Faust pursue something "beyond his book knowledge"?
#Describe the duality that exists in Faust's soul.
#What does Faust notice about the animal he decides to adopt?
#Is there meaning behind Faust and Wagner's meeting of the animal?
#Is there any underlying meaning of the dog or is just a way for Mephisto to gain entry into Faust’s home?

==External Resources==

==Works Cited==
*[http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/faust.html Study guide and Character Analysis]
*[http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/faust12.asp Pink Monkey Notes on Faust]
*[http://www.ucalgary.ca/~esleben/faust/goethe/synopsis.html Synopsis on Faust]
*Milch, Robert . Cliff's Notes on Faust. Lincoln: Cliff's Notes Incorporated, 1951.

----
< [[Faust: Night (1)|Night]] | [[Faust Summary, Commentary, Notes]] | [[Faust: Faust's Study (1)|Faust's Study (1)]] >

[[Category:World Literature]]

Faust: Outside the City Gate

2006-03-15T19:08:05Z

Sadams: /* Faust's Dissatisfaction With His Lineage Lines784-833 */

==Summary==
It is Easter Sunday, and the commoners bustle about, concerned with the things that concern them at different times in their lives. Faust and Wagner have a stroll and a conversation in the waning afternoon; they seem out of place. Wagner is uncomfortable as he "can't abide the least vulgarity" (l. 721) and Faust's presence seems to be an event, suggesting that he rarely comes out of his apartment. Faust is recognized and praised as the fearless son of a great doctor. Faust drinks from a cup that is proffered, and he and Wagner continue on their way. Wagner observes that Faust should be proud of the esteem that the commoners show him. The latter believes that he is undeserving of their praise, for he and his father killed many more people than they helped, a result, perhaps, of a prideful arrogance.

Faust still relishes something beyond his book knowledge, though it remains ambiguous. He seems to crave something elemental in Nature, unfettered by the constraints of reason (cf. ll. 888-891). This talk worries Wagner who cautions Faust against it. Faust then sees a black poodle following them. It seems lost and well trained. Faust brings it with them as they enter the city.

==Notes==
===The Significance of Easter in Christian Beliefs(Roman Catholic Church)===
The Roman Catholic Church views Easter as a time of resurrection closely associated with the rebirth of the Christ. It is also a period of introspection where the individual should examine what is keeping them from being close to God and try to eliminate it.

===Lines 585-660===
St. Andrews Eve, as it should be noted, is a time for young lovers to consult the occult (ie. fourtunetellers and such) about who to be interested in. This could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing on the part of Goethe as the Friend of the Burgher's Daughter says that she "shall never find him" referring to the love that the fortunetellers told her about. (line 660)

===Lines 680-717 Faust's Description of Seasons===
Faust's description personify the workings of the world with such phrases as, "White-bearded winter, old and frail, retreats into his mountain fastness" and "But the sun can bear with white no longer". This lends even more to the prevalent [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/wicca Wiccan-esque] view of the universe that is fostered in the play mainly by Fausts's study of the Black Arts.

===Faust's Dissatisfaction With His Lineage Lines784-833===

==Commentary==
Faust and Wagner interact with the public, which display gratitude for the acts of kindness that Faust and his father did for them. “Indeed it’s only right that you should be with us this happy day, who when our times were bitter, proved himself our friend in every way. Many a one stands in his boots here whom your good father, the last minute, snatched from the hot grip of the fever, that time he quelled the epidemic. And you yourself, a youngster then, never shrank back: every house the pest went in, you did too. Out they carried many a corpse, but never yours. Much you went through: Us you saved, and God saved you” (539).
Wagner explains that Faust should feel gratification for the way the peasants treat him, but Faust feels as if he has done no good and feels as if he has let them down.
Faust begins to wish for things that are inhuman, almost foreshadowing a date with the devil. “If only I had wings to bear me up into the air and follow after!”(541).
Faust states that he has two souls living within him trying to establish that he is a good man with evil tendancies. “Two souls live in me, alas, forever warring with each other. One, amorous of the world, with all its might grapples it close, greedy of all its pleasures; the other fights to rise out of the dust up , up into the heaven of our great forebears”(542).
Faust notices that there is a black dog “coursing back and forth” (542). Faust noticed that the dog is circling around them and he exemplifies more foreshadowing by stating, “Him winding a magic snare, quietly, around our feet, a noose which he’ll pull tight in the future, when the time is ripe” (542).
Faust decides to adopt the dog.

Lastly, Faust envies the townspeople's humble, unthinking acceptance of the world. His highly developed spiritual side will not allow him to follow the townspeople's example. (Milch)

==Study Questions==
#What was the reasoning for Faust and Wagner’s visit outside the city’s gate?
#What animal does Faust aqcuire at the end of this scene? What is its significance later?
#Is Faust well respected in society? How does he feel about his status?
#What is the significance of the current date in this scene?
#Why does Faust pursue something "beyond his book knowledge"?
#Describe the duality that exists in Faust's soul.
#What does Faust notice about the animal he decides to adopt?
#Is there meaning behind Faust and Wagner's meeting of the animal?

==External Resources==

==Works Cited==
*[http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/faust.html Study guide and Character Analysis]
*[http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/faust12.asp Pink Monkey Notes on Faust]
*[http://www.ucalgary.ca/~esleben/faust/goethe/synopsis.html Synopsis on Faust]
*Milch, Robert . Cliff's Notes on Faust. Lincoln: Cliff's Notes Incorporated, 1951.

----
< [[Faust: Night (1)|Night]] | [[Faust Summary, Commentary, Notes]] | [[Faust: Faust's Study (1)|Faust's Study (1)]] >

[[Category:World Literature]]

Faust: Outside the City Gate

2006-03-15T19:07:14Z

Sadams: /* Commentary */

Faust

2006-02-20T01:29:02Z

Sadams: /* Easter */

==Synopsis==

==History==

==Timeline==

==Themes==

==References in Popular Culture==
===Devil===
Mephistopheles is Goethe's devil. The devil is a fallen angel that became evil.

===Easter===
Easter symbolizes rebirth of Christ. The bells begin to chime and the chorus begins singing songs of praise right at the time Faist is about to drink posion to kill himself. By hearing the chorus, Faust comes out of his stuper and does not go through with the act. This is like rebirth; Faust was so close to death but then he comes back to reality.

==Critical Perspectives==

Just as Satin tempts Faust he also tempts priests. Faust is tempted by the devil. The devil is willing to do anything for Faust to make him happy except make moral decisions. The devil becomes Faust’s servant. He does so to get Faust’s soul, this occurs when Faust is finally truly happy. As soon as Faust becomes happy he will die and the devil will get his soul. Priests are also tempted by the devil in the way of their vow for celibacy. Many priests are sexually tempted to sin and indulge their mortal yearning. Although they know that this indulgence is sin, the devil makes the opportunity appear very promising and pleasurable. Faust has the same problem; the devil says he will do anything for him to please him. Faust believes he can withstand the devil’s temptations to become perfectly happy so he accepts the devil’s challenge. Faust begins with having the devil make him young again and then he sees a beautiful young lady and demands that she be his. Then failing to see the devil’s trickery, he gives in to the devil’s demise and “deflowers” her and she becomes pregnant. Faust then leaves and she goes crazy in her jail cell. Priests are often subjected to public reproach after committing their sins. Faust’s sin was not the sin that the lord and the devil bet on. Faust did not find a moment that he wanted to linger. The devil fails to tempt Faust enough to take his soul.

==External Links and Resources==
* [[Faust Summary]]

==Works Cited==

[[Category:World Literature]]

Faust

2006-02-20T01:28:28Z

Sadams: /* Devil */

==Synopsis==

==History==

==Timeline==

==Themes==

==References in Popular Culture==
===Devil===
Mephistopheles is Goethe's devil. The devil is a fallen angel that became evil.

===Easter===
Easter symbolizes rebirth of Christ. The bells begin to chime and the chorus begins singing songs of praise right at the time Faist is about to drink posion to kill himself. By hearing the chorus, Faust comes out of his stuper and does not go through with the act. This is like rebirth; Faust was so close to death but tehn he comes back to reality.

==Critical Perspectives==

Just as Satin tempts Faust he also tempts priests. Faust is tempted by the devil. The devil is willing to do anything for Faust to make him happy except make moral decisions. The devil becomes Faust’s servant. He does so to get Faust’s soul, this occurs when Faust is finally truly happy. As soon as Faust becomes happy he will die and the devil will get his soul. Priests are also tempted by the devil in the way of their vow for celibacy. Many priests are sexually tempted to sin and indulge their mortal yearning. Although they know that this indulgence is sin, the devil makes the opportunity appear very promising and pleasurable. Faust has the same problem; the devil says he will do anything for him to please him. Faust believes he can withstand the devil’s temptations to become perfectly happy so he accepts the devil’s challenge. Faust begins with having the devil make him young again and then he sees a beautiful young lady and demands that she be his. Then failing to see the devil’s trickery, he gives in to the devil’s demise and “deflowers” her and she becomes pregnant. Faust then leaves and she goes crazy in her jail cell. Priests are often subjected to public reproach after committing their sins. Faust’s sin was not the sin that the lord and the devil bet on. Faust did not find a moment that he wanted to linger. The devil fails to tempt Faust enough to take his soul.

==External Links and Resources==
* [[Faust Summary]]

==Works Cited==

[[Category:World Literature]]

Candide

2006-02-13T15:53:38Z

Sadams: /* Themes */

A [[satire]] by [[Voltaire]].

==Historical Context==
In the 18th century new ideas and philosophies were popping up everywhere. An intellectual movement in Europe known as as the Enlightment started to change the way man viewed his world. Also known as the age of reason, this was the road to understanding in which Voltaire lived. Isaac Newton introduced the idea that the universe was governed by setlaws that were also able to be discovered. This concept was detremental to the way people had prevously thought because it undermined the faith in a personal God. It was believed by many philosphers, such as Voltaire, that churches should not interfere with scientific research. By the end of the 1700's, the idea of self-government had changed in England and started a revolution in France and America. Europe moved from an rural farming economy to an industrial one. At the end of this century the world had changed dramatically as the advances in science, political democracy, and religious freedom swept away the last traces of the Middle Ages.

==Themes==
===The Folly of Optimism===
The Folly of Optimism is a recurring theme throughout the novel. By most definitions, optimism is a positive outlook on life and situations, assuming there are good times to come even in the darkest of hours. However, through this novel, optimism is at times not seen as a beneficial outlook. According to Candide himself, optimism "is a mania for saying things are well when one is in hell" (Voltaire 410). Optimism is seen as a slight sign of insanity, a trait that causes a person to constantly suffer in the mere hopes that troubled times will one day turn around.

The old woman is a prime example. Through all her hardships, all her torturous sufferings, she carried on; a glimmer of hope inside her that all hope is not lost. In telling her story, she talks of an optimistic outlook, of her own optimism; "A hundred times I wanted to kill myself, but I always loved life more. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts; is anything more stupid than choosing to carry a burden that really one wants to cast on the ground" (Voltaire 396).

Candide is another example. He went through some hardships as well. Candide says "The enormous riches which this rascal had stolen were sunk beside him in the sea, and nothing was saved but a sheep" (Voltaire 413). He was talking about the man who had robbed him of his possessions. He said very optimistic things about the fate of this man and the sheep that was his was saved.

Although their optimism is the main reason for their survival and ability to continue on through their sufferings, the characters view their optimism as one of the main causes for those sufferings they must go through.

The Folly is the belief that Candide is going to find Cunegonde like he first loved her. Even though this doesn't happen, that is where optimism comes into effect. With her breast fallen, Candide still took her to be his wife, what "Optimism", what a man (Voltaire 435).

===Is There Truely A Utopia===

===The Uselessness of Philosophical Speculation===
Throughout ''Candide'', three different philosophies are presented: optomism, pessimism, and skeptism. Pangloss is the character who embodies optomism. He states: " It is clear that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve and end, everything necessarliy serves the best end" (378). He also argues: "that there cannot possibly be an effect without a cause" meaning that everything in the world has a specific purpose and reason (378). Martin, however, is the total opposite of Pangloss. He only sees the worst of any situation due to the hardships he has faced. He has survived being robbed by his wife, beaten by his son, deserted by a daughter foolish enough to get kidnapped, and being fired from the modest job that provided his meager existance. At this point in his life, he has nothing to live for, and therefore, finds no joy in living. He states that "I have seen so many extraordinary things that nothing seems extraordinary anymore" (414). Cacambo is the skeptic. His belief is somewhere in between that of Pangloss and Martin: "That is, Cacambo embodies the notion that one cannot know whether or not ultimate reality can be proven by reason" (Beck). Cacambo has talents: " he had been choirboy, sacristan, sailor, monk, merchant, solider, and lackey" (398). These talents have furthered his knowledge, and he has learned through personal expriences to take a more realistic view on life.

===Greed===
One of the major themes in ''Candide'' is greed. In Candide’s world greed is like an infection that has spread almost everywhere. The only place untouched by greed is Eldorado. Almost everyone Candide meets is driven by the need to acquire wealth. These individuals are portrayed as evil people with no morals.

The merchant Vanderdendur steals Candide’s last two sheep that carry Candide’s jewels. Vanderdendur is one of many characters in the story that is portrayed as being truly evil. Before Candide meets Vanderdendur he meets a slave that was once owned by Vanderdendur. Vanderdendur has cut off this slave’s right hand and left leg and left him on the side of the road.

Candide and Pangloss met a sailor on Jacques’s ship. After a massive earthquake this sailor runs through the ruins looking for anything he can take. His only desire is to gain wealth. As with Vanderdendur this sailor is also shown as being evil beforehand. On Jacques’s ship this sailor attacks Jacques. The violent movements of the ship knock the sailor overboard. Jacques helps the sailor back up. Jacques then falls over the side. The sailor does nothing to help Jacques. He watches as Jacques drowns.

The only place that the disease of greed does not touch is Eldorado. Eldorado is a mythical city filled with gold and jewels. Everyone seeks Eldorado but very few reach it. Greed does not exist there because the gold and jewels have no value. There is so much of the gold that the inhabitants see them as pebbles on the ground. The people of Eldorado live peaceful lives. They are not greedy so they have no need to make war upon each other.

===The Hypocrisy of Religion===
The hypocrisy of religion is something that is very cleverly used in the works of Candide. Voltaire uses satire throughout the novel with the characters who are considered to be very religious men, who are actually doing the complete opposite of what is considered to be religious and moral. Cunegonde is held as a prisoner of war and is bought and sold by men of religious beliefs. “Finally my Jew, fearing for his life, struck a bargain by which the house and I would belong to both of them as joint tenants; the Jew would get Mondays, Wednesdays, and the Sabbath, the inquisitor would get the other days of the week” (388).

Auto-da-fe, or an act of faith, are used to scare people. In this novel, the Grand Inquisitor uses this tool to ensure that he gets to have Cunegonde for himself as well. “The inquisitor threatened him with an auto-da-fe”(388).

It is the characters who hold no place in society who are admired and sympathized with by Voltaire in the novel. It is “a man who had never been baptized, a good Anabaptist named Jacques” who is the man who does the right thing in this novel (380). He sees Candide as someone who needs help, so he offers everything that is at his disposal. It seems as if religion is used a political strategy by the people higher up in society, but it is used as a way of life by the smaller men.

===Sexual Exploitation===

===Resurection===

All throughout ''Candide'' we see characters being "resurrected". For example, Cunegonde's brother, the Jesuit Baron, is resurrected at the end of the story and also Master Pangloss. Both of these men had supposably been killed earlier on in the story but show up in the end. Candide was to have killed the baron with his sword when he slit his chest open. Pangloss was to have been hung and then burned, but got rescued from the actual burning. The rope that was around his neck was not tight enough, therefore he was still breathing. Also, Candide was badly beat but survived and was nursed back to health. The entire story is really an example of resurrection because everyone was seperated at some point, but all of the main characters end up reunited back together.

===The Evil of Poverty===

In the story ''Candide'' almost everyone in the story is or at once in the clutches of poverty. This seems to be a vice that no one can escape. At one point in the story Candide has supper with six people that used to be kings. Now they were all stripped of their glory and reduced to taking handouts. The old woman that helped Cunegonde was a wealthy princess at one time and also reduced down to slavery. Maybe Voltaire's use of this theme was to show how bad poverty was during his lifetime. He might have felt he could show people how poverty effects those that have to endure it. As Bell says, "After all, without evil, how could individuals exercise free choice" (Bell)?

===Immorality===

==Characters==

===Candide===
A good natured fellow who is in love with Cunégonde. His love for Cunégonde gets him banned from The Baron of Thunder-Ten-Tronckh's castle, for stealing a mere kiss from his beloved crush. It is also important to remember that Candide is the Baron's illegitimate nephew. He seems to have a "black cloud" covering him wherever he goes. This is shown when he starts murdering his beloved's capturers, in order to save her. His choices are easily influenced and they lead him down a path of destruction and dispair wherever he goes.

=== Cunégonde ===
The young beautiful daughter of the baron. She is raped and tortured by the Bulgars, while witnessing her family's execution. She is traded may times as a slave. She is given an old slave woman, whom finally reunites her with Candide. While on their journey to South America and out of money, she becomes engaged to Don Fernando d'Ibaraa y Figueora y Mascarenes y Lampourdos y Souza, the governor of Buenos Aries. It seems that no matter how hard they try, she and Candide cannot seem to get together. However, in the end all the determination of Candide pays off when the two are finally reunited for good.

===Pangloss===
An optomistic philosopher in the Thunder-Ten-Tronckh's castle. He served as Candide and Cunegonde's childhood professor and later as Candide and Jacques' philosopher. His views on life are that everything that happens, whether it be good or bad, was meant to be. He proves his intellect to Candide by reasoning that "the bay of Lisbon had been formed expressly for this Anabaptist to drown in" after Jacques' death (384). Pangloss is finally hanged for his beliefs during a auto-da-fe.

===Jacques===
The good Anabaptist who rescued Candide from the “cruel and heartless treatment” inflicted by the black-coated man and his scandalous wife (381). He graciously took Candide home and gave him a bath, bread and beer, two florins, and a job. His charitable nature also moved him to take in Candide’s long-lost friend, Pangloss, and have him cured of the pox at his own expense. Two months later his good deeds cost him his life: Jacques drowned during a horrible tempest after aiding a merciless sailor.

Like [[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Candide#Martin Martin]], Jacques is pessimistic towards the behavior of the human race, but Martin believes that man is inherently cruel. Jacques' philosophy is as follows: "It must be, said he, that men have corrupted Nature, for they are not born wolves, yet that is what they have become" (383). In other words, mankind were not created with a predisposition to kill one another, to thrive on the misfortunes of others, or to just be cruel. However, over periods of time, that is what happened.

===The old woman===
She was born the daughter of Pope Urban the Tenth. She was the Princess of Palestrina until her ship was taken over by pirates. The old woman's life parallels that of Cunégonde in the way that they were both born into a life of privilege and eventually end up as slaves. Both being tortured and raped many times over and left for dead. The old woman, despite life's challanges, states, "I wanted to kill myself, but always I loved life more" (Voltaire 396). She seems real optimistic and seems to hang in there during the trials and tribulations of her life. These two women form a common bond, and the old woman finally reunites Candide and Cunégonde. She remains a servant until she is befriended by Candide and Cunégonde.

===Paquette===
She is the maidservant to the Baroness. She "caused these torments of hell" from which Pangloss is suffering (383).

===Cacambo===
He was brought from Cadiz to be Candide's valet. He is honest and speakes many different languages. He even saves Candide from Biglugs, and becomes a valued friend and confidant.

===Don Fernando d'Ibaraa y Figueora y Mascarenes y Lampourdos y Souza===

He is the arrogant governor of Buenos Aries. He is the normal stereotyped government official, "he address[es] everyone with the most aristocratic disdain, pointing his nose so loftily, raising his voice so mercilessly, lording it so splendidly, and assuming so arrogant a pose" (396). He finds Cunegonde to be "the most beautiful creature he ha[s] ever seen" (397). Despite Cunegonde and Candide being engaged the governor takes her in as his mistress and plans to marry her.

===Martin===
A scholar whom Candide meets while traveling. He is very intelligent, but has a pessimistic view of the world, perhaps due to unfortunate events in the course of his life. "Martin bends all perceptions of good into a system that makes evil (anxiety, boredom, etc.) the dominate force in the universe" (Campbell 113).

Martin is a direct counterpart to [[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Candide#Pangloss Pangloss]]. Pangloss sees the world as the best possible place, while Martin sees it as the exact opposite. Martin's philosophy is as follows: " Do you believe, said Martin, that hawks have always eaten pigeons when they could get them? Well, said Martin, if hawks have always had the same character, why do you suppose that men have changed?" (414). Thus, Martin believes that men have always been cruel and will always be cruel. Martin's pessimism also draws parallels to another character, [[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Candide#Jacques Jacques the Anabaptist]]. Jacques is also pessimistic, but unlike Martin, he believes that kindness goes a long way towards redemption for mankind.

===Don Issachar===
A wealthy, Jewish man known as the "most choleric Hebrew seen in Israel since the Babylonian captivity," who tries to win Cunegonde's love (389). He shares custody of Cunegonde with The Grand Inquisitor and is also killed by Candide.

==Critical Perspectives==

=== Analysis of The Old Woman ===

The Old Woman is unique in that she is the only character to experience no change throughout the story. She comes into the story "immune to change," and is "an icon of what all will become by the end of the tale" ([http://web3.epnet.com/citation.asp?rds=1&sxp=1562&tb=1&_ug=sid+D859FE3A%2DD0BB%2D46D1%2D89B4%2D3BFF5AE2DBA3%40sessionmgr4+dbs+aph+cp+1+F533&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+True+cst+0%3B1+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+0+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACBXA00057061+6DAA&_uso=tg%5B0+%2D+db%5B0+%2Daph+hd+False+clv%5B2+%2DY+clv%5B1+%2DY+clv%5B0+%2DY+op%5B0+%2D+cli%5B2+%2DFR+cli%5B1+%2DRV+cli%5B0+%2DFT+st%5B0+%2DCandide+mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+09C5&fn=1&rn=1 Marsh]). It is the old woman who proves that only true effort and work will rebuild and regenerate these other characters who have suffered so much throughout the story ([http://web3.epnet.com/citation.asp?rds=1&sxp=1562&tb=1&_ug=sid+D859FE3A%2DD0BB%2D46D1%2D89B4%2D3BFF5AE2DBA3%40sessionmgr4+dbs+aph+cp+1+F533&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+True+cst+0%3B1+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+0+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACBXA00057061+6DAA&_uso=tg%5B0+%2D+db%5B0+%2Daph+hd+False+clv%5B2+%2DY+clv%5B1+%2DY+clv%5B0+%2DY+op%5B0+%2D+cli%5B2+%2DFR+cli%5B1+%2DRV+cli%5B0+%2DFT+st%5B0+%2DCandide+mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+09C5&fn=1&rn=1 Marsh]).

==Resources==
* [http://www.literature.org/authors/voltaire/candide/ Candide] — The full text
* [http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/candide/ SparkNotes]
* [http://humanities.uchicago.edu/homes/VSA/Candide/ Resources for study of Voltaire's Candide]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide Wikipedia entry]
* [http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/voltaire3.htm Voltaire]
* [http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCandide01.asp PinkMonkey.com]

==Works Cited==

* Beck, Ervin. [http://web32.epnet.com.ezproxy.maconstate.edu/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=sid+24BFF23C%2DB2EB%2D4ED1%2D92E5%2DD8549766350E%40sessionmgr3+dbs+mzh+744B&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+False+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+%2D1+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACB3C00104454+B5AE&_usmtl=ftv+True+137E&_uso=hd+False+tg%5B0+%2D+st%5B0+%2DVoltaire+clv%5B0+%2DY+db%5B0+%2Dmzh+cli%5B0+%2DFT+op%5B0+%2D+58FF&bk=S&EBSCOContent=ZWJjY8bb43ePprdrtdvha6Gmr4GPqLGFn6i5faKWxpjDpeys0qetuNDf7XnU3u6%2B4wAA&rn=6&fn=1&db=aph&an=2336667&sm=&cf=1/ "Voltaire's Candide."] ''Explicator'', Summer 1999, 57(4): p203-04.

* Bell, Ian. "''Candide'': Overveiw." ''Reference Guide to World Literature'', 2nd ed. St.James Press, 1995.

* Campbell, John. ''The Book of Great Books''. New York: Metrobooks,1997.

* Marsh, Leonard. [http://web3.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=sid+D859FE3A%2DD0BB%2D46D1%2D89B4%2D3BFF5AE2DBA3%40sessionmgr4+dbs+aph+cp+1+F533&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+True+cst+0%3B1+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+0+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACBXA00057061+6DAA&_uso=tg%5B0+%2D+db%5B0+%2Daph+hd+False+clv%5B2+%2DY+clv%5B1+%2DY+clv%5B0+%2DY+op%5B0+%2D+cli%5B2+%2DFR+cli%5B1+%2DRV+cli%5B0+%2DFT+st%5B0+%2DCandide+mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+09C5&fn=1&rn=1"Voltaire's Candide."] ''Explicator''. Spring 2004, Vol. 62 Issue 3, 144-146.

* TheBestNotes.com. [http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCandide01.asp PinkMonkey.com.] 2003. 7 Feb. 2006

* Voltaire, Francois "Candide." ''The Norton Anthology of Western Literature'' Ed. Hugo, Howard, et al. 8th ed. New York: W W Norton & Company, 2005. 377-438.

[[Category:World Literature]]

Candide

2006-02-08T18:51:49Z

Sadams: /* Martin */

A [[satire]] by [[Voltaire]].

==Historical Context==
According to http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/voltaire3.htm, this is the historical background on Candide. The eighteenth century was a time of new ideas and perspectives. The European intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment changed the way man viewed his world. Reason, not spirituality or intuition, was the road to understanding the world in which he lived. Isaac Newton introduced the notion that the universe was governed by set and discoverable laws. This concept undermined the faith in a personal God. Tolerance of varying religious beliefs was advocated by philosophers such as Voltaire. Churches should not interfere with scientific research. In politics, the authoritarian state, as exemplified by such absolute monarchs as Louis IV of France, came into disrepute. By the end of the 1700's the idea of self-government had resulted in reform in England and revolution in France and America. Europe moved from an agrarian economy to an industrial one. At the close of this century the world had changed dramatically as the advances in science, political democracy, and religious freedom swept away the last vestiges of the Middle Ages. Now the belief that human history was a record of general progress and that the condition of mankind would only get better with each succeeding generation fostered a halo of optimism.

==Themes==
According to [http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/voltaire3.htm a biography on Voltaire], these are some of the themes to consider. Comic invention; loyalty; utopia; satire; war as play; treatment of garden; evil; religion; optimism.
===Greed===
One of the major themes in ''Candide'' is greed. In Candide’s world greed is like an infection that has spread almost everywhere. The only place untouched by greed is Eldorado. Almost everyone Candide meets is driven by the need to acquire wealth. These individuals are portrayed as evil people with no morals.

The merchant Vanderdendur steals Candide’s last two sheep that carry Candide’s jewels. Vanderdendur is one of many characters in the story that is portrayed as being truly evil. Before Candide meets Vanderdendur he meets a slave that was once owned by Vanderdendur. Vanderdendur has cut off this slave’s right hand and left leg and left him on the side of the road.

Candide and Pangloss met a sailor on Jacques’s ship. After a massive earthquake this sailor runs through the ruins looking for anything he can take. His only desire is to gain wealth. As with Vanderdendur this sailor is also shown as being evil beforehand. On Jacques’s ship this sailor attacks Jacques. The violent movements of the ship knock the sailor overboard. Jacques helps the sailor back up. Jacques then falls over the side. The sailor does nothing to help Jacques. He watches as Jacques drowns.

The only place that the disease of greed does not touch is Eldorado. Eldorado is a mythical city filled with gold and jewels. Everyone seeks Eldorado but very few reach it. Greed does not exist there because the gold and jewels have no value. There is so much of the gold that the inhabitants see them as pebbles on the ground. The people of Eldorado live peaceful lives. They are not greedy so they have no need to make war upon each other.

===Sexual Exploitation===

===Resurection===

All throughout ''Candide'' we see characters being "resurrected". For example, Cunegonde's brother, the Jesuit Baron, is resurrected at the end of the story and also Master Pangloss. Both of these men had supposably been killed earlier on in the story but show up in the end. Candide was to have killed the baron with his sword when he slit his chest open. Pangloss was to have been hung and then burned, but got rescued from the actual burning. The rope that was around his neck was not tight enough, therefore he was still breathing. Also, Candide was badly beat but survived and was nursed back to health. The entire story is really an example of resurrection because everyone was seperated at some point, but all of the main characters end up reunited back together.

===The Evil of Poverty===

In the story ''Candide'' almost everyone in the story is or at once in the clutches of poverty. This seems to be a vice that no one can escape. At one point in the story Candide has supper with six people that used to be kings. Now they were all stripped of their glory and reduced to taking handouts. The old woman that helped Cunegonde was a wealthy princess at one time and also reduced down to slavery. Maybe Voltaire's use of this theme was to show how bad poverty was during his lifetime. He might have felt he could show people how poverty effects those that have to endure it.

===Immorality===

==Characters==

===Candide===
A good natured fellow who is in love with Cunégonde. His love for Cunégonde gets him banned from The Baron of Thunder-Ten-Tronckh's castle, for stealing a mere kiss from his beloved crush. It is also important to remember that Candide is the Baron's illegitimate nephew. He seems to have a "black cloud" covering him wherever he goes. This is shown when he starts murdering his beloved's capturers, in order to save her. His choices are easily influenced and they lead him down a path of destruction and dispair wherever he goes.

=== Cunégonde ===
The young beautiful daughter of the baron. She is raped and tortured by the Bulgars, while witnessing her family's execution. She is traded may times as a slave. She is given an old slave woman, whom finally reunites her with Candide. While on their journey to South America and out of money, she becomes engaged to the governor of Buenos Aries. It seems that no matter how hard they try, she and Candide cannot seem to get together.

===Pangloss===
An optomistic philosopher in the Thunder-Ten-Tronckh's castle. He served as Candide and Cunegonde's childhood professor and later as Candide and Jacques' philosopher. His views on life are that everything that happens, whether it be good or bad, was meant to be. He proves his intellect to Candide by reasoning that "the bay of Lisbon had been formed expressly for this Anabaptist to drown in" after Jacques' death (384). Pangloss is finally hanged for his beliefs during a auto-da-fe.

===Jacques===
The good Anabaptist who rescued Candide from the “cruel and heartless treatment” inflicted by the black-coated man and his scandalous wife (381). He graciously took Candide home and gave him a bath, bread and beer, two florins, and a job. His charitable nature also moved him to take in Candide’s long-lost friend, Pangloss, and have him cured of the pox at his own expense. Two months later his good deeds cost him his life: Jacques drowned during a horrible tempest after aiding a merciless sailor.

===The old woman===
She was born the daughter of Pope Urban the Tenth. She was the Princess of Palestrina until her ship was taken over by pirates. The old woman's life parallels that of Cunégonde in the way that they were both born into a life of privilege and eventually end up as slaves. Both being tortured and raped many times over and left for dead. The old woman, despite life's challanges, states, "I wanted to kill myself, but always I loved life more" (Moliere 396). She seems real optimistic and seems to hang in there during the trials and tribulations of her life. These two women form a common bond, and the old woman finally reunites Candide and Cunégonde. She remains a servant until she is befriended by Candide and Cunégonde.

===Paquette===
She is the maidservant to the Baroness. She "caused these torments of hell" from which Pangloss is suffering (383).

===Cacambo===
He was brought from Cadiz to be Candide's valet. He is honest and speakes many different languages. He even saves Candide from Biglugs, and becomes a valued friend and confidant.

===Don Fernando d'Ibaraa y Figueora y Mascarenes y Lampourdos y Souza===

The arrogant governor of Buenos Aries. He finds Cunegonde attractive. Despite Cunegonde and Candide being engaged the governor takes her in as his mistress and plans to marry her.

===Martin===
A scholar whom Candide meets while traveling. He is very intelligent, but has a pessimistic view of the world. "Martin bends all perceptions of good into a system that makes evil (anxiety, boredom, ect.)the dominate force in the universe" (Campbell 113).

Martin is a direct counterpart to Pangloss. Pangloss sees the world as the best possible place, while Martin sees it as the exact opposite. Martin's philosophy is as follows: " Do you believe, said Martin, that hawks have always eaten pigeons when they could get them? Well, said Martin, if hawks have always had the same character, why do you suppose that men have changed?" (414). Thus, Martin believes that men have always been inherently evil and will always remain inherently evil.

===Don Issachar===
A wealthy, Jewish man who tries to win the affection of Cunegonde. He shares this fight for affection with The Grand Inquisitor.

==Critical Perspectives==

=== Analysis of The Old Woman ===

The Old Woman is unique in that she is the only character to experience no change throughout the story. She comes into the story "immune to change," and is "an icon of what all will become by the end of the tale" ([http://web3.epnet.com/citation.asp?rds=1&sxp=1562&tb=1&_ug=sid+D859FE3A%2DD0BB%2D46D1%2D89B4%2D3BFF5AE2DBA3%40sessionmgr4+dbs+aph+cp+1+F533&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+True+cst+0%3B1+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+0+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACBXA00057061+6DAA&_uso=tg%5B0+%2D+db%5B0+%2Daph+hd+False+clv%5B2+%2DY+clv%5B1+%2DY+clv%5B0+%2DY+op%5B0+%2D+cli%5B2+%2DFR+cli%5B1+%2DRV+cli%5B0+%2DFT+st%5B0+%2DCandide+mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+09C5&fn=1&rn=1 Marsh]). It is the old woman who proves that only true effort and work will rebuild and regenerate these other characters who have suffered so much throughout the story ([http://web3.epnet.com/citation.asp?rds=1&sxp=1562&tb=1&_ug=sid+D859FE3A%2DD0BB%2D46D1%2D89B4%2D3BFF5AE2DBA3%40sessionmgr4+dbs+aph+cp+1+F533&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+True+cst+0%3B1+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+0+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACBXA00057061+6DAA&_uso=tg%5B0+%2D+db%5B0+%2Daph+hd+False+clv%5B2+%2DY+clv%5B1+%2DY+clv%5B0+%2DY+op%5B0+%2D+cli%5B2+%2DFR+cli%5B1+%2DRV+cli%5B0+%2DFT+st%5B0+%2DCandide+mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+09C5&fn=1&rn=1 Marsh]).

==Resources==
* [http://www.literature.org/authors/voltaire/candide/ Candide] — The full text
* [http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/candide/ SparkNotes]
* [http://humanities.uchicago.edu/homes/VSA/Candide/ Resources for study of Voltaire's Candide]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide Wikipedia entry]
* [http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/voltaire3.htm Voltaire]
* [http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCandide01.asp PinkMonkey.com]

==Works Cited==

[[Category:World Literature]]
TheBestNotes.com. [http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCandide01.asp PinkMonkey.com.] 2003. 7 Feb. 2006

Campbell, John. ''The Book of Great Books''. New York: Metrobooks,1997.

Marsh, Leonard. "Voltaire's Candide." Explicator, Spring 2004, Vol. 62 Issue 3, p144-146 [http://web3.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=sid+D859FE3A%2DD0BB%2D46D1%2D89B4%2D3BFF5AE2DBA3%40sessionmgr4+dbs+aph+cp+1+F533&_us=frn+1+hd+False+hs+True+cst+0%3B1+or+Date+ss+SO+sm+KS+sl+0+dstb+KS+mh+1+ri+KAAACBXA00057061+6DAA&_uso=tg%5B0+%2D+db%5B0+%2Daph+hd+False+clv%5B2+%2DY+clv%5B1+%2DY+clv%5B0+%2DY+op%5B0+%2D+cli%5B2+%2DFR+cli%5B1+%2DRV+cli%5B0+%2DFT+st%5B0+%2DCandide+mdb%5B0+%2Dimh+09C5&fn=1&rn=1]

Voltaire, Francois "Candide." ''The Norton Anthology of Western Literature'' Ed. Hugo, Howard, et al. 8th ed. New York: W W Norton & Company, 2005. 377-438.

Tartuffe

2006-01-30T16:30:03Z

Sadams: /* Characters */

==Background==
''''Tartuffe'''' was written in 1664 during a time when the word of the Church was the word of law. Typically, the Church was very corrupt. The Company of the Holy Sacrament was a Catholic group who beleived in good deeds and have beliefs like the puritans. The were big on the placement of "spiritual advisors" into the homes of people. The group in particular did not like the play because it made Tartuffe, a spiritual advisor, a scoundrel and not a pious man.

==Themes==
Tartuffe offers many themes for one to explore among them are, the dangers of a heirarchy within a family, religious piety and how it can be exploited, and hypocrisy and its effects on the public's view of religion.

===Hypocrisy===
Tartuffe provides hypocrisy and is the hypocrite because of the religious morals he forces upon Orgon and his family, in which he is doing to satisfying for his own personal agenda. The element or idea of a 'masque' that he wears is present by Tartuffe always playing the role of an ever so pious(having, showing, or pretending religious devotion) man who has no desire for worldly goods. This is proven when Damis tries to speaks opposingly of Tartuffe to his father. Tartuffe becomes so completely humble and knowledgeable his status, uses this to turn Orgon against Damis. Tartuffe, however is unmasked towards the end of the play when he makes a pass for Orgon's wife Elmire after we learn that Orgon has given Tartuffe all legal right to his property. Some may also see the play as a criticism of religion and the character of Tartuffe is though to have possibly been based on some figure of the time, he is not only a hypocrite in himself, but may represent hypocrisy in the church of that period.

==Characters==
*'''Tartuffe'''
**The main antagonist of the play, his role as the hypocrite is concealed until very early on, though suspicion arises during the beginning of the play. He finds people's weaknesses and goes about any means necessary to get what he wants from them. His greatest flaw is his admiration of Elmire, which in the end reveals his true identity to everyone.

*'''Orgon'''
**Could be considered the protagonist. Father of Damis and Mariane. Husband to Elmire.
*'''Damis'''
**He is the son of Orgon and the stepson to Elmire. It is he who witnesses Tartuffe's lust for Elmire and tells his accounts to Orgon.

*'''Cléante'''
**A man of words, he tries to reason everything in life for the better. However, Madame Pernelle thinks that his words "aren't suitable for decent folk." (20)
*'''Dorine'''
**The lady's maid of Mariane , very "out of place" constantly interjecting with her opinion and very talkative, not the typical personality for a lady's maid. Dorine is also essential to the comical aspects of the play. It seems her main purpose in the play is for the comic relief.
*'''Mariane'''
** Daughter of Orgon, engaged to Valére, is the subject of controversy when Orgon decides that she is to marry Tartuffe.
*'''Elmire'''
**Orgon's second wife. She is presumably significantly younger than Orgon, as well. She is ultimately the one who brings out Tartuffe's corruptions by flirting with him with Orgon in concealed presence.
*'''Valére'''
**Engaged to Mariane
*'''Madame Pernelle'''
**Orgon's mother. She is the "Lady of the House", basically an old grandma who is jealous of the youth of her house and their vivacity. She also wants attention and for the people in the house to listen to her and her opinions.

==Critical Perspectives==

==Additional Resources==
* [[Tartuffe Summary]](Character:Mariane) Mariane is overcome with grief when her father tells her of his plans for her to marry the "scoundrel" Tartuffe. She is heartbroken and cannot imagine spending the rest of her life with such a man. Mariane almost lets her loyalty for her family come between her and her "true love" Valere. Marianne finally comes to the realization and lets her heart lead her in the right direction, straight to Valere.

Tartuffe Study Guide [http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/eng252/tartuffestudy.htm]

[[Category:World Literature]]