The rapid changes in fortune through carelessness and robbery seen throughout Candide mock greed and the acquisition of wealth. Wealth is portrayed as transient and, though beneficial, not ultimately fulfilling.
Questions About Wealth
- Candide and Cacambo encounter some unusual people in El Dorado. What do they think about wealth? Do they have a different concept of "wealth," or merely a different concept of gold?
- What advantages, if any, come from wealth in Candide? What disadvantages?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The depletion of his wealth brings Candide more unhappiness and anxiety than he suffered when he was penniless at the beginning of the novel.