How is evil depicted in Voltaire's Candide? The problem of evil Candide

is an
innocent man, and yet he is victim of many misfortunes and encounters evil in many forms. Evil
is in fact everywhere: in Candide's misfortunes, in his struggle to survive, and in the
suffering which he sees in his travels.

Candide, however, is an optimist and
is hopeful that things will change for the better. He acquired this trait from his master,
Pangloss, with whom he travels throughout the story. This obsessive defense of optimism is a
narrative device which , through Candide, uses to show that the world is not entirely good. Evil
is everywhere and men are cruel, as Pangloss and Candide quickly realize.

Throughout their travels they suffer incredibly and experience a variety of terrible situations,
ranging from violence to earthquakes, from rapes to unjust deaths. They almost risk being eaten
alive! By the end of the novel, even Pangloss cannot find a justification for these terrible
things and is forced to review his optimistic vision of the world. In the end,...