Summary
Our trio wakes up broke—cleaned out by a thieving monk who apparently missed the memo about religious virtue. Cunegonde is devastated, but the old woman takes charge with practical solutions: sell a horse, double up on the remaining one, and keep moving. They reach Cadiz, where Candide's military background lands him a captain's position with a fleet heading to South America. As they sail toward the New World, Candide clings desperately to Pangloss's optimistic philosophy, insisting this new continent must be where 'all is for the best.' But his companions aren't buying it. Cunegonde admits her heart is 'almost closed to hope' after everything she's endured. When she and the old woman start comparing their tragedies—like some twisted version of trauma Olympics—Cunegonde rattles off her horrific experiences, certain no one could have suffered more. The old woman's mysterious response about showing her backside hints at secrets that might put everything in perspective. This chapter shows how crisis strips away pretense and forces practical action. It also reveals how people process trauma differently—some retreat into philosophy, others into bitter competition over who's suffered most. The old woman emerges as the group's unsung hero, the one who actually solves problems while others debate or despair.
Coming Up in Chapter 11
The old woman is about to reveal a backstory so shocking it will make Cunegonde's suffering look like a minor inconvenience. Her mysterious reference to her 'backside' hints at a tale of survival that will redefine what true misfortune means.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
N WHAT DISTRESS CANDIDE, CUNEGONDE, AND THE OLD WOMAN ARRIVED AT CADIZ; AND OF THEIR EMBARKATION. "Who was it that robbed me of my money and jewels?" said Cunegonde, all bathed in tears. "How shall we live? What shall we do? Where find Inquisitors or Jews who will give me more?" "Alas!" said the old woman, "I have a shrewd suspicion of a reverend Grey Friar, who stayed last night in the same inn with us at Badajos. God preserve me from judging rashly, but he came into our room twice, and he set out upon his journey long before us." "Alas!" said Candide, "dear Pangloss has often demonstrated to me that the goods of this world are common to all men, and that each has an equal right to them. But according to these principles the Grey Friar ought to have left us enough to carry us through our journey. Have you nothing at all left, my dear Cunegonde?" "Not a farthing," said she. "What then must we do?" said Candide. "Sell one of the horses," replied the old woman. "I will ride behind Miss Cunegonde, though I can hold myself only on one buttock, and we shall reach Cadiz." In the same inn there was a Benedictine prior who bought the horse for a cheap price. Candide, Cunegonde, and the old woman, having passed through Lucena, Chillas, and Lebrixa, arrived at length at Cadiz. A fleet was there getting ready, and troops assembling to bring to reason the reverend Jesuit Fathers of Paraguay, accused of having made one of the native tribes in the neighborhood of San Sacrament revolt against the Kings of Spain and Portugal. Candide having been in the Bulgarian service, performed the military exercise before the general of this little army with so graceful an address, with so intrepid an air, and with such agility and expedition, that he was given the command of a company of foot. Now, he was a captain! He set sail with Miss Cunegonde, the old woman, two valets, and the two Andalusian horses, which had belonged to the grand Inquisitor of Portugal. During their voyage they reasoned a good deal on the philosophy of poor Pangloss. "We are going into another world," said Candide; "and surely it must be there that all is for the best. For I must confess there is reason to complain a little of what passeth in our world in regard to both natural and moral philosophy." "I love you with all my heart," said Cunegonde; "but my soul is still full of fright at that which I have seen and experienced." "All will be well," replied Candide; "the sea of this new world is already better than our European sea; it is calmer, the winds more regular. It is certainly the New World which is the best of all possible worlds." "God grant it," said Cunegonde; "but I have been so horribly unhappy there that my heart is almost closed to hope." "You complain,"...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Crisis Leadership - Who Steps Up When Everything Falls Apart
When disaster strikes, practical problem-solvers often emerge as leaders while those with formal authority freeze or retreat into denial.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot the people who actually keep things running when everything falls apart.
Practice This Today
This week, notice who in your workplace or family immediately starts organizing solutions when problems arise—these are your real allies in tough times.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Inquisitors
Religious officials who ran the Spanish Inquisition, hunting down heretics and non-Christians. They had enormous power and wealth in 18th-century Spain. Cunegonde mentions them because they were known to have money and jewels confiscated from their victims.
Modern Usage:
We see similar patterns when any authority figure uses their position to accumulate wealth while claiming moral superiority.
Grey Friar
A Franciscan monk who took vows of poverty but clearly didn't practice what he preached. The irony is thick here - a religious man dedicated to helping others instead robs them blind.
Modern Usage:
Like televangelists who preach about charity while living in mansions, or politicians who campaign for the working class from their private jets.
Benedictine prior
A high-ranking monk in the Benedictine order who's supposed to live simply but has enough money to buy horses. Another example of religious hypocrisy that Voltaire loved to expose.
Modern Usage:
Any leader of an organization who doesn't follow the values they expect from everyone else.
Fleet getting ready
Naval ships preparing for military action, specifically to suppress revolts in Spanish colonies. This represents the brutal reality of colonial empire - when colonies rebel, you send warships.
Modern Usage:
When corporations or governments use force to protect their economic interests overseas.
Philosophical optimism
The belief that everything happens for the best, even terrible events. Pangloss taught Candide this theory, which becomes harder to believe with each disaster they face.
Modern Usage:
Like toxic positivity today - insisting everything happens for a reason even when people are genuinely suffering.
New World
The Americas, seen by Europeans as a fresh start where things might be better. Candide hopes this new continent will prove his teacher's optimistic philosophy right.
Modern Usage:
Like people who think moving to a new city or getting a new job will magically solve all their problems.
Characters in This Chapter
Cunegonde
Traumatized survivor
She's devastated by being robbed and questions how they'll survive. Her despair shows how repeated trauma has worn down her resilience. She's starting to compete with others over who has suffered most.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who's been through so much that every new crisis feels like the last straw
The old woman
Practical problem-solver
While others panic or philosophize, she immediately comes up with concrete solutions - sell the horse, double up, keep moving. She hints at having suffered more than anyone realizes.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who actually gets things done while everyone else is having meetings about having meetings
Candide
Desperate optimist
He's still trying to make sense of their suffering through Pangloss's philosophy, even when it clearly doesn't fit reality. His military background gets him a captain's position.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who keeps insisting everything happens for a reason even when life is clearly falling apart
Grey Friar
Religious hypocrite
A monk who steals from travelers while supposedly living by vows of poverty and service. Represents the gap between religious ideals and human behavior.
Modern Equivalent:
The charity director who embezzles donations while preaching about helping others
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Who was it that robbed me of my money and jewels?"
Context: Her first words upon discovering they've been robbed
This shows how trauma has made her focus on material security - she's learned that survival depends on resources, not love or philosophy. Her immediate panic reveals how vulnerable she feels.
In Today's Words:
How am I supposed to survive now that I've lost everything?
"Dear Pangloss has often demonstrated to me that the goods of this world are common to all men, and that each has an equal right to them."
Context: Trying to rationalize why the monk would steal from them
Candide is desperately trying to make his teacher's philosophy work, even when it leads to absurd conclusions. He's using intellectual theory to avoid facing the harsh reality of being robbed.
In Today's Words:
Well, my professor always said we should share everything equally, so I guess technically the guy had a right to take our stuff.
"Sell one of the horses. I will ride behind Miss Cunegonde, though I can hold myself only on one buttock."
Context: Immediately proposing a practical solution to their money problems
While others panic or philosophize, she focuses on concrete action. Her willingness to endure physical discomfort shows her resilience and practical wisdom born from experience.
In Today's Words:
Look, we need cash. Let's sell something and figure out how to make it work, even if it's uncomfortable.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The old woman's servant status masks her superior practical intelligence and leadership abilities
Development
Deepened from earlier chapters - class expectations consistently blind characters to real competence
In Your Life:
You might underestimate coworkers in 'lower' positions who actually understand how things really work
Identity
In This Chapter
Crisis forces each character to reveal their true nature - philosopher, victim, or problem-solver
Development
Evolved from earlier identity confusion - extreme circumstances strip away pretense
In Your Life:
You discover who you really are not in good times, but when everything goes wrong
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The 'educated' man and 'noble' woman defer to the servant's practical wisdom
Development
Continued reversal of expected social roles - competence trumps status in crisis
In Your Life:
You might find yourself taking direction from people society tells you are 'beneath' you
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Each character's response to loss reveals their capacity for adaptation and resilience
Development
Building on earlier growth themes - growth requires facing reality, not clinging to philosophy
In Your Life:
You grow most when forced to abandon comfortable illusions and deal with harsh realities
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Shared trauma creates new dynamics - the old woman becomes the group's anchor
Development
Evolved from romantic focus to practical interdependence under stress
In Your Life:
You often discover your most valuable relationships aren't the most obvious or socially approved ones
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
After being robbed by the monk, who takes charge of the situation and how do they solve the immediate problem?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does the old woman emerge as the group's problem-solver while Candide retreats into philosophy and Cunegonde despairs?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a crisis in your workplace, family, or community. Who actually stepped up to solve problems versus who just talked about the problems?
application • medium - 4
If you were in a group facing sudden financial loss, what practical steps would you take, and how would you position yourself as someone who solves rather than debates?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how crisis strips away social pretense and shows people's true capabilities?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Crisis Leadership Audit
Think of the last three stressful situations you witnessed—at work, in your family, or in your community. For each situation, identify who actually solved problems versus who just talked, worried, or blamed. Write down what specific actions the problem-solvers took and what made them effective when others weren't.
Consider:
- •Look for people who immediately assessed resources rather than dwelling on losses
- •Notice who gave concrete next steps versus abstract advice
- •Pay attention to who others naturally turned to for guidance
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to step up and solve a problem while others were paralyzed. What did you do that worked? How can you position yourself to be the go-to problem-solver in your current situation?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 11: From Princess to Slave
As the story unfolds, you'll explore quickly privilege and status can disappear in crisis, while uncovering the way people rationalize violence and exploitation as 'normal'. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.