Friday, October 1, 2010

Does the punishment fit the crime?

No. Candides punishments do not fit the crime. He is thrown out of his illustrious castle, the best of all possible worlds, his entire life as he knew is shattered, because he kissed Cunogonde. He is thrown out, and placed in such hazardous and ridiculous scenarios which usually involve death, more death, deceit, etc. that would scar a man for life. He is drafted into an army unwittingly, and drilled; he somehow exceeds then is almost put to death for wandering to far away. He learns that Cungonde has been disemboweled and raped by soldiers who have destroyed his used to be home. His old teacher is hung right in front of him, and he has killed two men, one of whom is a high profile person in a religious organization. All of these events happen one after another, in seemingly more and more ridiculous fashions, and all the time he must be thinking to himself “all because I kissed Cungonde” I am sure the king who threw him out of the castle couldn’t have known the hardships that would befall Candide. Candides punishments were more of being in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time and being so naïve it seems as though the universe itself was out to get him. Even though no one in particular can be named responsible for every ill event that Candide has had to endure, it appears it is celestial punishment that keeps befalling him. You think he would just give up, since the very heavens itself is out to harm him in new and cruel ways every 4 seconds, but he keeps going. Candide seems to not care if the punishment fits the crime, he just survives.

3 comments:

  1. but the punishment would help him learn and gain valuable experience that he needs

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  2. its apparent that his punishments didnt fit the crime.

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