Voltaire, "The Wordsmith"

It's hard to find a writer that really inspires imperative readers, like me. I don't like books that talk about random stories I don't even care about, but this one digs further into the real meaning of literature. Before entering Mr. Tangen's class, I had no idea of what a satire was, but now I know it is the only tool that encourages me to finish a book. You might think I'm a geek, but I actually like bringing to light the real meaning of a story, otherwise it's not relevant to my learning or understanding. Candide is exactly the type of literature I enjoy reading because it challenges the reader.

Before starting my analysis, I just want to thank Voltaire for bringing up such a great classic of literature, and off course to Mr. Tangen for assigning us a book that is worth reading.                                  
From what I've read until now, I can say the use of irony in the book is hilarious when you get to understand it because it's definitely not that obvious. When the narrator is describing the Baron's influence in Westphalia, he says "The Baron was one of the most influential noblemen in Westphalia, for his house had a door and several windows and his hall was actually draped with tapestry." (19) How in the world is that influential on a whole community? Off course, what the narrator is trying to say is that he was nothing more than an idle and vague man who had none influence on the people. 

Another tool that Voltaire implies in his work is the hyperbole, which is an exaggeration. He mentions that "Pangloss taught metaphysico-theologo-cosmolo-nigology." (20) Off course such study doesn't even exist, but we as readers assume that he is a brilliant eggheaded man. With exaggerations like this, our interpretations might be different, which makes future class discussions important... 

There's a part in the story that really made me laugh, which is when the narrator describes the intercourse between Pangloss and Lady Conegonde. At first, we think Pangloss is just teaching her a lesson, but at last we find out that all they were doing was having sex. He says "Since Lady Conegonde took a great interest in science, she watched the experiments being repeated with breathless satisfaction." (21) Who would have though that science could be so inspiring...  Now, this type of literature is the one that makes me laugh. I just find it so disappointing that not every reader would understand the use of irony in scenes that are so worth understanding.