Literature Essay on Narrative Techniques in Candide by Voltaire

Paper Type:  Essay
Pages:  4
Wordcount:  1048 Words
Date:  2021-06-08
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One common narrative technique in Candide is the use of characters as the voice of the author. This accounts for occasions where Voltaire uses one or more characters to express his views on a given subject. A good example is in Tartuffe of Moliere where Voltaire expresses his views contrary to the religious hypocrites using the thespian of Cleante.

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Nothing that I more cherish and admire than honest zeal and true religious fire. So there is nothing that I find more base than specious piety's dishonest face (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016).

He also employs the style in insulting the philosophical optimism. For instance, when Candide asks a guy whether the lot is for the distinguished individuals in the world the gentleman denies expressing his feeling that everything is wide of the mark in society and nobody knows his/her role or place in society (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016).

The other literary technique present in the novel is us of fixing actual events and people in the fiction. Voltaire weaves real life events and individuals in his composure, a feature that he uses to ridicule or mock his literary rivals and political adversaries. For instance, in story Dante pushes his political opponents into the muddy river (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016). The style is also evident in the conversation between the Parisian super guest and the Abbe. The narrative techniques add real life events into the story; thus, making more striking and realistic. The novel also uses exaggerations; for instance, Barons sisters refused to get hitched to Candides father since the guy could only 71 quartering of his generation (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016). Also, Candides sentence demands him to make 36 passes within the gauntlet of 2,000 troops (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016). The other examples of exaggeration are the magnitude of Gargantuas mare which is compared to six elephants, and its dumbbells weight where each weighs 805 t (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016). The exaggerations point out the ludicrousness of an ideal situation; thus, describing it in a ridiculous style.

The manuscript is structured in a roguish adventure, where the main player tours a variety of places and numerous incredible escapades and misfortune during the journeys. As depicted by Candides experience in the story. Possibly this is what keeps the story moving leaving booklovers eager to know what will happen next. Anyone reading the novel is attached to Candide and develops close feeling to him as if he was real. Thus, the use of roguish adventure structure was fruitful in that it made the story more enjoyable. It is striking to see how Voltaire mixes narrative perspectives to achieve his goal of making the volume eye-catching to booklovers. For example, the chapter in narrated in third-person omniscient perspective.

He endured two runs. The regiment numbered two thousand men, which for Candide added up to four thousand strokes, which in turn laid bare the muscles and sinews from the nape of his neck to his buttocks. As they were lining up for the third run, Candide, who could take no more, politely asked if they would be so kind as to cave his head in (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016).

Here the narrator accounts for miseries Candide went through in the troops. No one could imagine that Candide noted the number amidst the pain he went through. Thus, ground on the fact its a witness reporting the story we can view it as classical omniscience. There is also an aspect of particular insight when a narrator tells about Candides internal mind state. Candide, completely bewildered, had not yet figured out quite what was meant by being a hero (Voltaire & Hagen, 2016), which is itself an example of a third person narration. Henceforth, the literary techniques not on portray the protagonist but also keep the story moving.

The Cid also uses different narrative techniques. First, lets point out that use direct speech gives the reader any opportunity to take party in the conversation. Besides, it makes him pay attention to all the characters are saying. Thus, enhancing the capability of a reader grasping what is happening. The use of dialogue helps move the story without the narrator telling the story because from dialogues the readers can know what is going on or what will happen. An example where conversations are used is when Chimene tells the king how she loved Rodrigue (Corneille & Mongan, 1896). It is a moving moment when Chimene is told about the wellbeing of Rodrigue whom she thought had died. At this time booklovers will be eager to see what happens because Chimene had made up her mind to marry the victor.

The other common style in the novel is the exaggeration, which is also revealed when the king tells Chimene nothing will obstruct her from her love. He says that the heaven has made it clear that she and Rodrigue should marry (Corneille & Mongan, 1896). Additionally, he exaggerates when he tells Chimene to take the whole year drying her tears. Here exaggerations are used to demonstrate the feeling of Chimene to Rodrigue. The story also begins with a flash-forward as depicted by Chimene. She is in love with Rodrigue, she aware that even Rodrigue loves her and her further accepts but decides to wait further (Corneille & Mongan, 1896). Henceforth, at this time the readers will expect to see how the two will espouse. Corneille also uses roguish adventure, as seen Rodrigue and Chimene pass through incredible escapades. Perhaps what makes the story more outstanding because the experiences leave the leader keen to know what will happen next?

Lastly, the two scripts are written a conversation tone that heightens likelihoods of the reader being more attached and closer to the characters, so that he/she recognizes and feels everything that is going on in the novels. Besides, the tales have some similarities; first, we have seen both writings used similar narratives techniques, for instance, both the authors used exaggerations. Secondly, both the scripts are built by relationships. For example, in Voltaires work, we show how the relation between Candide and Panglosss daughter caused escapades, similar to the relationship between Rodrigue and Chimene. Last but not least, the understanding of the protagonist is highly rooted in the narrative techniques employed.

References

Corneille, P., & Mongan, R. (1896). Le Cid. Auckland: Floating Press.

Voltaire, & Hagen, Don. (2016). Candide. Gildan Media on Dreamscape Audio.

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Literature Essay on Narrative Techniques in Candide by Voltaire . (2021, Jun 08). Retrieved from https://midtermguru.com/essays/literature-essay-on-narrative-techniques-in-candide-by-voltaire

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