Candide: Chapter V

On page 34, when Voltaire writes "...relieve those inhabitants who had escaped death".

The part I liked most was when he writes "escaped death". The way Voltaire uses his words is unique and interesting a to read. Instead of just saying surviving he uses escaped and instead of saying the storm (for what they survived) he says death. One reason I believe he does not say escaped the storm is because they were on a boat and there was no way to avoid it. Using 'escaped death' is a creative way of saying that they had survived.

Another interesting bit is when you think that there is no answer for the question given, Voltaire always seems to give an answer. An example is on page 35,"'Then you don't believe in Free Will, Sir?' said the officer. 'Your Excellency must excuse me,' said Pangloss; 'Free Will is consistent with Absolute Necessity, for it was ordained that we should be free. For the Will that is Determined...'"

If someone were to ask you this question, would you be able to answer it in a matter of seconds, or would you need time to think about it. I guess it partly has to do with the fact that Pangloss is a philosopher, but the answer to the question makes sense.

On page 35, there is an interesting part you get to learn about Pangloss, it states, "Pangloss consoled them with the assurance that things could not be otherwise".

With this information you see that Pangloss believes that things happen for a reason. The storm, earthquake and the death of family members all happend for a reason and that they should not be sad about it. The quote gives a brief explanation of the way Pangloss saw things in life and what he believed (until later in the story when he gets killed).