Summary
Candide and Cunegonde arrive in Buenos Aires and meet the pompous Governor Don Fernando, whose ridiculously long name and arrogant behavior immediately signal trouble. The Governor takes one look at Cunegonde and decides he wants her for himself. When Candide honestly explains they plan to marry, the Governor dismisses him and pressures Cunegonde to marry him instead. The old woman, ever practical, tells Cunegonde to forget about loyalty to Candide—she's been through enough trauma already, and this is her chance for security and status. But just as Cunegonde considers this pragmatic advice, disaster strikes. The authorities have tracked them down because a thieving friar confessed to stealing Cunegonde's jewels and revealed their escape route. Now they're wanted for the Grand Inquisitor's murder. The old woman quickly assesses the situation: Cunegonde will be safe because the Governor wants her, but Candide must flee immediately or face execution. This chapter shows how power corrupts and how the powerless get squeezed between impossible choices. Candide's honesty, which seems noble, actually puts them in danger—sometimes the truth isn't the best strategy when dealing with corrupt authority. The old woman's cynical wisdom proves more useful than Candide's naive idealism, highlighting the harsh reality that survival often requires compromise.
Coming Up in Chapter 14
Candide must flee alone, but where can he go? His journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters the Jesuits of Paraguay, whose mission might offer sanctuary—or present new dangers entirely.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
HOW CANDIDE WAS FORCED AWAY FROM HIS FAIR CUNEGONDE AND THE OLD WOMAN. The beautiful Cunegonde having heard the old woman's history, paid her all the civilities due to a person of her rank and merit. She likewise accepted her proposal, and engaged all the passengers, one after the other, to relate their adventures; and then both she and Candide allowed that the old woman was in the right. "It is a great pity," said Candide, "that the sage Pangloss was hanged contrary to custom at an _auto-da-fé_; he would tell us most amazing things in regard to the physical and moral evils that overspread earth and sea, and I should be able, with due respect, to make a few objections." While each passenger was recounting his story, the ship made her way. They landed at Buenos Ayres. Cunegonde, Captain Candide, and the old woman, waited on the Governor, Don Fernando d'Ibaraa, y Figueora, y Mascarenes, y Lampourdos, y Souza. This nobleman had a stateliness becoming a person who bore so many names. He spoke to men with so noble a disdain, carried his nose so loftily, raised his voice so unmercifully, assumed so imperious an air, and stalked with such intolerable pride, that those who saluted him were strongly inclined to give him a good drubbing. Cunegonde appeared to him the most beautiful he had ever met. The first thing he did was to ask whether she was not the captain's wife. The manner in which he asked the question alarmed Candide; he durst not say she was his wife, because indeed she was not; neither durst he say she was his sister, because it was not so; and although this obliging lie had been formerly much in favour among the ancients, and although it could be useful to the moderns, his soul was too pure to betray the truth. "Miss Cunegonde," said he, "is to do me the honour to marry me, and we beseech your excellency to deign to sanction our marriage." Don Fernando d'Ibaraa, y Figueora, y Mascarenes, y Lampourdos, y Souza, turning up his moustachios, smiled mockingly, and ordered Captain Candide to go and review his company. Candide obeyed, and the Governor remained alone with Miss Cunegonde. He declared his passion, protesting he would marry her the next day in the face of the church, or otherwise, just as should be agreeable to herself. Cunegonde asked a quarter of an hour to consider of it, to consult the old woman, and to take her resolution. The old woman spoke thus to Cunegonde: "Miss, you have seventy-two quarterings, and not a farthing; it is now in your power to be wife to the greatest lord in South America, who has very beautiful moustachios. Is it for you to pique yourself upon inviolable fidelity? You have been ravished by Bulgarians; a Jew and an Inquisitor have enjoyed your favours. Misfortune gives sufficient excuse. I own, that if I were in your place, I should have no scruple...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Honest Disadvantage
Honesty becomes a strategic liability when dealing with corrupt authority that views your transparency as a threat to their interests.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when someone in authority operates by corrupt rules rather than stated policies.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when authority figures' actions contradict their stated values—that gap reveals who really operates by different rules.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Auto-da-fé
A public ceremony where the Spanish Inquisition would execute or punish people they declared heretics. These were elaborate spectacles meant to terrify the public into religious conformity. Voltaire references this to show how institutions use fear and violence to control people.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern in public shaming campaigns or when authorities make examples of people to send a message to others.
Colonial Governor
A powerful official who ruled a colony on behalf of the Spanish crown. They had almost unlimited authority over local populations and were often corrupt, using their position for personal gain. Don Fernando represents the abuse of unchecked power.
Modern Usage:
Think of any boss or official who acts like they own the place and treats people beneath them like property.
Marriage of Convenience
A marriage entered into for practical benefits like money, status, or protection rather than love. In Voltaire's time, this was common among the upper classes and often the only way women could secure their future.
Modern Usage:
Still happens today when people marry for citizenship, financial security, or social status rather than genuine affection.
Pragmatic Wisdom
Making decisions based on what actually works in the real world rather than on ideals or principles. The old woman represents this approach - she's learned through hard experience that survival sometimes requires compromise.
Modern Usage:
When someone tells you to 'be realistic' about your job prospects or relationship choices instead of chasing dreams.
Corrupt Authority
When people in power use their position for personal benefit rather than serving justice or the common good. Don Fernando embodies this - he uses his authority to try to steal another man's fiancée.
Modern Usage:
Seen in politicians who take bribes, cops who abuse their power, or managers who play favorites for personal reasons.
Class Privilege
The advantages that come with wealth and social status, including the ability to escape consequences that would destroy ordinary people. Cunegonde might be protected by the Governor's interest while Candide faces execution.
Modern Usage:
When wealthy people get light sentences for crimes that would put poor people in prison for years.
Characters in This Chapter
Don Fernando d'Ibaraa, y Figueora, y Mascarenes, y Lampourdos, y Souza
Antagonist/corrupt authority figure
The pompous Governor of Buenos Aires whose ridiculously long name matches his inflated ego. He immediately covets Cunegonde and uses his power to try to steal her from Candide, showing how authority corrupts and how the powerful prey on the vulnerable.
Modern Equivalent:
The sleazy boss who hits on employees knowing they can't fight back
Cunegonde
Protagonist caught between impossible choices
Faces the terrible decision between loyalty to Candide and practical survival. The old woman pressures her to marry the Governor for security, while her heart wants to stay with Candide. She represents how women were often forced to choose between love and survival.
Modern Equivalent:
The woman choosing between a guy she loves and a guy who can pay the bills
Candide
Naive protagonist
His honesty about planning to marry Cunegonde immediately puts them in danger with the Governor. His noble ideals clash with harsh reality when he must flee to avoid execution, learning that sometimes truth isn't the best policy.
Modern Equivalent:
The honest person who gets fired for speaking up while the liars get promoted
The Old Woman
Pragmatic advisor/voice of experience
Gives Cunegonde brutally practical advice to forget Candide and marry the Governor for security. She quickly assesses the dangerous situation and helps orchestrate Candide's escape, showing that street smarts often matter more than principles.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced coworker who tells you how things really work around here
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It is a great pity that the sage Pangloss was hanged contrary to custom at an auto-da-fé; he would tell us most amazing things in regard to the physical and moral evils that overspread earth and sea"
Context: Candide reflects on his former teacher while listening to passengers' stories of suffering
Shows Candide still hasn't learned his lesson about Pangloss's false optimism. Even after witnessing countless horrors, he still thinks his teacher could explain away all the evil in the world. This reveals how hard it is to let go of comforting beliefs even when reality proves them wrong.
In Today's Words:
I wish my old teacher was here - he always had an explanation for why bad things happen.
"This nobleman had a stateliness becoming a person who bore so many names"
Context: Describing the Governor's pompous behavior and attitude
Voltaire mocks how people with impressive titles often have inflated egos to match. The Governor's many names are meant to show his importance, but they really just highlight his vanity and self-importance. It's a satire of how authority figures use symbols and ceremony to intimidate others.
In Today's Words:
This guy acted as important as his business card made him sound.
"Cunegonde appeared to him the most beautiful he had ever met. The first thing he did was to ask whether she was not the captain's wife"
Context: The Governor immediately sets his sights on Cunegonde upon meeting her
Shows how powerful men view women as objects to be acquired rather than people with their own agency. The Governor doesn't care about Cunegonde's feelings or relationship - he only cares whether she's legally available for him to claim. This reveals the predatory nature of unchecked authority.
In Today's Words:
He saw something he wanted and immediately started figuring out how to get it.
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
The Governor immediately asserts dominance over Candide and Cunegonde, using his position to claim what he wants regardless of their plans
Development
Evolved from earlier religious authority abuse to secular governmental corruption
In Your Life:
You see this when supervisors use their position to override your reasonable requests or needs
Survival
In This Chapter
The old woman prioritizes immediate safety over romantic ideals, urging quick practical decisions over principled stands
Development
Consistent thread—her survival wisdom repeatedly proves more valuable than idealistic thinking
In Your Life:
You face this when choosing between speaking up about problems and keeping your job
Class
In This Chapter
The Governor's elaborate name and position automatically give him power over the traveling refugees regardless of their character
Development
Continues the pattern of social position trumping personal merit
In Your Life:
You experience this when dealing with administrators, doctors, or officials who dismiss you based on your background
Identity
In This Chapter
Candide's identity as an honest man actually works against him in this corrupt environment
Development
His core traits, previously seen as virtues, now create danger
In Your Life:
You encounter this when your natural personality traits clash with toxic workplace or family dynamics
Compromise
In This Chapter
Cunegonde must choose between loyalty to Candide and practical security, with no purely good option available
Development
Introduced here as a major theme—the necessity of impossible choices
In Your Life:
You face this in relationships where you must choose between competing loyalties or needs
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Candide's honesty about wanting to marry Cunegonde immediately put him in danger with the Governor?
analysis • surface - 2
The old woman tells Cunegonde to forget loyalty and marry the Governor for security. Is this advice cynical or wise?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone get punished for being honest with the wrong person at the wrong time?
application • medium - 4
How do you decide when to be completely honest versus when to protect yourself by staying quiet?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how corrupt people in power view those who threaten their desires?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Power Dynamic
Think of a current situation in your life where someone has power over you (boss, landlord, family member, etc.). Write down what they want, what you want, and where those desires conflict. Then identify: What information would help them? What information might threaten them? Map out your strategy for navigating this dynamic.
Consider:
- •Consider whether this person benefits from your success or sees you as competition
- •Think about what they have to lose if you get what you want
- •Ask yourself: Is this person an ally, neutral party, or potential threat to your goals?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when being completely honest backfired on you. What did you learn about reading the room and choosing your moments?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14: An Unexpected Reunion in Paraguay
Moving forward, we'll examine adaptable people survive by reading situations quickly, and understand institutional power often creates absurd contradictions. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.