Summary
Candide and Cacambo explore the utopian kingdom of El Dorado, where gold and jewels are considered worthless pebbles, everyone worships the same God without conflict, and there are no priests, monks, courts, or prisons. The wise old man explains how their ancestors chose isolation over conquest, preserving their peaceful society from European greed and violence. The King treats them with kindness, showing them a city of incredible beauty and learning. Yet despite experiencing this perfect world, Candide grows restless. He misses Cunegonde and realizes that even paradise feels empty without the people he loves. More tellingly, both he and Cacambo want to return home as wealthy men rather than remain as equals in utopia. The King, though puzzled by their desire to leave perfection, respects their freedom and helps them escape with sheep loaded with what Europeans prize as treasure. This chapter exposes the gap between what we think we want and what actually satisfies us. Voltaire suggests that humans are driven not just by comfort or even happiness, but by the need to feel special, to have status, and to be with those they love. El Dorado represents the impossibility of perfect society because it cannot account for human restlessness, ambition, and the deep need for meaning that comes through struggle and choice.
Coming Up in Chapter 19
Candide and Cacambo's journey back to the real world begins badly when they reach Surinam, where they'll encounter the harsh realities that make El Dorado's perfection seem like a distant dream. Their wealth will attract new dangers, and Candide will meet a pessimistic philosopher whose dark worldview challenges everything he's learned so far.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
WHAT THEY SAW IN THE COUNTRY OF EL DORADO. Cacambo expressed his curiosity to the landlord, who made answer: "I am very ignorant, but not the worse on that account. However, we have in this neighbourhood an old man retired from Court who is the most learned and most communicative person in the kingdom." At once he took Cacambo to the old man. Candide acted now only a second character, and accompanied his valet. They entered a very plain house, for the door was only of silver, and the ceilings were only of gold, but wrought in so elegant a taste as to vie with the richest. The antechamber, indeed, was only encrusted with rubies and emeralds, but the order in which everything was arranged made amends for this great simplicity. The old man received the strangers on his sofa, which was stuffed with humming-birds' feathers, and ordered his servants to present them with liqueurs in diamond goblets; after which he satisfied their curiosity in the following terms: "I am now one hundred and seventy-two years old, and I learnt of my late father, Master of the Horse to the King, the amazing revolutions of Peru, of which he had been an eyewitness. The kingdom we now inhabit is the ancient country of the Incas, who quitted it very imprudently to conquer another part of the world, and were at length destroyed by the Spaniards. "More wise by far were the princes of their family, who remained in their native country; and they ordained, with the consent of the whole nation, that none of the inhabitants should ever be permitted to quit this little kingdom; and this has preserved our innocence and happiness. The Spaniards have had a confused notion of this country, and have called it _El Dorado_; and an Englishman, whose name was Sir Walter Raleigh, came very near it about a hundred years ago; but being surrounded by inaccessible rocks and precipices, we have hitherto been sheltered from the rapaciousness of European nations, who have an inconceivable passion for the pebbles and dirt of our land, for the sake of which they would murder us to the last man." The conversation was long: it turned chiefly on their form of government, their manners, their women, their public entertainments, and the arts. At length Candide, having always had a taste for metaphysics, made Cacambo ask whether there was any religion in that country. The old man reddened a little. "How then," said he, "can you doubt it? Do you take us for ungrateful wretches?" Cacambo humbly asked, "What was the religion in El Dorado?" The old man reddened again. "Can there be two religions?" said he. "We have, I believe, the religion of all the world: we worship God night and morning." "Do you worship but one God?" said Cacambo, who still acted as interpreter in representing Candide's doubts. "Surely," said the old man, "there are not two, nor three, nor four. I must confess the people from...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Paradise Problem - Why Perfect Isn't Enough
Humans become restless even in perfect conditions because meaning comes from choice, struggle, and the ability to be special rather than from comfort alone.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when dissatisfaction stems not from bad circumstances but from the absence of meaningful choice and challenge.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel restless despite having what you thought you wanted—ask yourself what element of choice or growth might be missing.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
El Dorado
A legendary city of gold that Spanish conquistadors searched for in South America. In literature, it represents the perfect society that exists just out of reach. Voltaire uses it to explore whether humans can actually be satisfied with perfection.
Modern Usage:
We use this term for any seemingly perfect opportunity or place, like calling Silicon Valley 'the El Dorado of tech workers.'
Utopia
An imaginary perfect society where everything works ideally and everyone is happy. The word literally means 'no place' in Greek, hinting that such perfection might be impossible. Voltaire shows us one to question what we really want.
Modern Usage:
We describe any idealized situation as utopian, often sarcastically, like 'In a utopian world, everyone would show up to work on time.'
Satire
Writing that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior or society. Voltaire doesn't just describe El Dorado's perfection - he uses it to mock European greed and violence. The joke is that his heroes want to leave paradise to get rich.
Modern Usage:
Modern satirists like comedians on late-night TV use the same technique to point out society's problems through humor.
Noble Savage
The idea that people living in simpler societies are naturally good and wise, uncorrupted by civilization. The El Doradans represent this concept - they're peaceful and content because they haven't been exposed to European greed and competition.
Modern Usage:
We see this in movies that romanticize rural life or indigenous cultures as naturally pure compared to corrupt city life.
Cultural Relativism
The idea that what's valuable or important depends on your culture's perspective. In El Dorado, gold is worthless and wisdom is prized, the opposite of European values. This forces readers to question which set of values is actually better.
Modern Usage:
We apply this when we say things like 'Beauty standards are different in every culture' or recognize that success means different things to different people.
Isolationism
A policy of staying separate from other countries or groups to avoid their problems and conflicts. El Dorado's ancestors chose isolation over conquest, which preserved their peace but also their ignorance of the outside world.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who avoid social media to stay happy, or countries that limit immigration to preserve their culture.
Characters in This Chapter
Candide
Restless protagonist
Even in paradise, Candide feels empty without Cunegonde and grows bored with perfection. He chooses love and adventure over comfort and safety, revealing that humans need struggle and meaning more than ease.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who quits a stable, well-paying job to chase their dreams
Cacambo
Practical companion
Cacambo serves as translator and guide, helping Candide navigate El Dorado. Like Candide, he wants to leave with riches rather than stay as an equal, showing how hard it is to abandon the desire for status and wealth.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who helps you network but also wants to get rich quick
The Old Man
Wise storyteller
At 172 years old, he explains El Dorado's history and philosophy. He represents the wisdom that comes from choosing peace over conquest, but also shows how isolation can make you puzzled by others' ambitions.
Modern Equivalent:
The retired elder who's seen it all and can't understand why young people are so stressed about success
The King of El Dorado
Benevolent ruler
He treats Candide and Cacambo with kindness and respect, showing them his kingdom's wonders. Though he can't understand why they'd want to leave paradise, he respects their freedom and helps them go.
Modern Equivalent:
The understanding boss who lets good employees leave even when it hurts the company
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The door was only of silver, and the ceilings were only of gold, but wrought in so elegant a taste as to vie with the richest."
Context: Describing the 'simple' house where precious metals are treated as basic building materials
Voltaire uses irony to show how El Dorado's values completely reverse European priorities. What Europeans kill for, El Doradans use for everyday construction. This forces readers to question which society is actually civilized.
In Today's Words:
Their 'basic' house had silver doors and gold ceilings, like it was no big deal.
"More wise by far were the princes of their family, who remained in their native country."
Context: Explaining why El Dorado's ancestors chose isolation over conquest
This directly challenges European expansion and the idea that conquest brings glory. The 'wise' choice was to stay home and build a good society rather than destroy others for gold and power.
In Today's Words:
The smart ones stayed home instead of trying to take over the world.
"We have no monks to dispute, no lawyers to cavil, no judges to condemn."
Context: Describing El Dorado's lack of European institutions
Voltaire attacks the religious and legal systems of his time by showing a society that functions perfectly without them. This implies these institutions create more problems than they solve.
In Today's Words:
We don't have people arguing about religion, lawyers twisting words, or judges throwing people in jail.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Candide needs to feel special and chosen rather than equal in paradise
Development
Evolved from his naive optimism to understanding that identity requires distinction
In Your Life:
You might notice feeling empty after achieving something you thought would complete you.
Class
In This Chapter
Even in a classless society, Candide craves the status that wealth would bring elsewhere
Development
Continued exploration of how class shapes desires even in its absence
In Your Life:
You might find yourself wanting to stand out or be recognized even in egalitarian settings.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The King respects their freedom to leave despite not understanding their choice
Development
Shows how different societies have different expectations about what constitutes a good life
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to be grateful for good circumstances even when they don't fulfill you.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Love for Cunegonde makes paradise feel empty and meaningless
Development
Reinforces that relationships give life meaning beyond material conditions
In Your Life:
You might realize that achievements feel hollow without people you care about to share them with.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Candide chooses uncertainty and struggle over guaranteed comfort
Development
Shows growth from passive acceptance to active choice-making
In Your Life:
You might find yourself choosing difficult paths that feel more authentic than easy ones.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Candide want to leave El Dorado even though it's a perfect society with no suffering, conflict, or want?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Candide's restlessness in paradise reveal about what humans actually need to feel fulfilled?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about someone you know who achieved their dream job, relationship, or lifestyle but then seemed dissatisfied. What parallels do you see with Candide's experience?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle the Paradise Problem in your own life - that feeling of restlessness even when things are going well?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between struggle, choice, and meaning in human life?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Meaningful Challenge
Think of an area in your life where things are comfortable but you feel restless or unfulfilled. Design a voluntary challenge that would add meaning without creating unnecessary suffering. Write down what the challenge would be, why it matters to you, and what you hope to gain from choosing this difficulty over easy comfort.
Consider:
- •Focus on challenges that align with your values, not just arbitrary difficulty
- •Consider how this challenge would help you grow or contribute to others
- •Think about whether this restlessness signals a need for change or just normal human nature
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you got something you thought you wanted but felt empty afterward. What did that experience teach you about the difference between comfort and fulfillment?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 19: The Price of Sugar and Broken Dreams
Moving forward, we'll examine systems of exploitation hide behind everyday pleasures, and understand wealth without wisdom makes you a target for predators. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.