Candide by Voltaire is a satirical study of optimism vs pessimism.

The novel tells the fantastic episodic journey of Candide, a young, naive German, who believes wholeheartedly in philosophic optimism- “all is for the best . . . in this best of all worlds.”- which he has learned from his mentor Dr. Pangloss. Raised by his uncle, the baron, Candide falls in love with the baron’s young daughter, Cunégonde, and is expelled after being caught with her. This sets Candide on a journey around the world where he experiences the horrors of war, poverty, the maliciousness of man, and the hypocrisy of the church. His experiences lead him to doubt the accuracy of philosophical optimism.

• • Mahalo's guide to Voltaire
• Wikipedia: Voltaire
• Great Human Beings: Voltaire Profile and Quotes
• Books and Writers: Voltaire Profile
• The Quotations Page: Voltaire Quotes
• Visit Voltaire: Voltaire's "Chateau de Cirey"

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 1956: Candide (Bernstein's Opereta)

• 1962: Candide (TV)

• 1973: Candide (Play)

• 1986: Candide (TV)

• 1987: Candide (TV)