Candide

The narrative follows Candide, a naive young man who endures a series of absurdly disastrous adventures while clinging to an optimistic worldview taught by his mentor, Pangloss. Set against the backdrop of pre-revolutionary France, the story critiques various societal norms, including romance, science, and religion. Voltaire, a prominent Enlightenment figure known for his advocacy of civil liberties and sharp satire, uses Candide to challenge the philosophy of optimism, revealing the harsh realities of life through humor and irony.