Summary
Candide's gentle nature gets its biggest test yet when Issachar, Cunegonde's other 'owner,' arrives and attacks him with a knife. Our naive hero kills the jealous man in self-defense, then immediately faces another crisis when the Grand Inquisitor walks in on the bloody scene. In a moment of crystal-clear reasoning, Candide realizes the Inquisitor will have them all burned alive, so he kills him too. Cunegonde is horrified by this sudden violence from her gentle lover, but the practical old woman wastes no time on shock. She immediately organizes their escape, securing horses and planning their route to Cadiz. While Candide processes what he's become—a man who can kill two people in minutes when survival demands it—they flee into the night. The chapter shows how quickly civilized people can adapt when their backs are against the wall. Candide's transformation from philosophical dreamer to pragmatic survivor happens in seconds, not years. The old woman emerges as the group's real leader, the one who thinks clearly while others panic. Voltaire suggests that when institutional power threatens ordinary people, sometimes violence becomes the only rational response. The contrast is stark: while Pangloss would have debated the moral implications, Candide acts to save lives. Philosophy has its place, but survival requires different skills entirely.
Coming Up in Chapter 10
The three fugitives reach safety in Cadiz, but their troubles are far from over. A new opportunity for adventure—and fresh disasters—awaits them at the port city.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
WHAT BECAME OF CUNEGONDE, CANDIDE, THE GRAND INQUISITOR, AND THE JEW. This Issachar was the most choleric Hebrew that had ever been seen in Israel since the Captivity in Babylon. "What!" said he, "thou bitch of a Galilean, was not the Inquisitor enough for thee? Must this rascal also share with me?" In saying this he drew a long poniard which he always carried about him; and not imagining that his adversary had any arms he threw himself upon Candide: but our honest Westphalian had received a handsome sword from the old woman along with the suit of clothes. He drew his rapier, despite his gentleness, and laid the Israelite stone dead upon the cushions at Cunegonde's feet. "Holy Virgin!" cried she, "what will become of us? A man killed in my apartment! If the officers of justice come, we are lost!" "Had not Pangloss been hanged," said Candide, "he would give us good counsel in this emergency, for he was a profound philosopher. Failing him let us consult the old woman." She was very prudent and commenced to give her opinion when suddenly another little door opened. It was an hour after midnight, it was the beginning of Sunday. This day belonged to my lord the Inquisitor. He entered, and saw the whipped Candide, sword in hand, a dead man upon the floor, Cunegonde aghast, and the old woman giving counsel. At this moment, the following is what passed in the soul of Candide, and how he reasoned: If this holy man call in assistance, he will surely have me burnt; and Cunegonde will perhaps be served in the same manner; he was the cause of my being cruelly whipped; he is my rival; and, as I have now begun to kill, I will kill away, for there is no time to hesitate. This reasoning was clear and instantaneous; so that without giving time to the Inquisitor to recover from his surprise, he pierced him through and through, and cast him beside the Jew. "Yet again!" said Cunegonde, "now there is no mercy for us, we are excommunicated, our last hour has come. How could you do it? you, naturally so gentle, to slay a Jew and a prelate in two minutes!" "My beautiful young lady," responded Candide, "when one is a lover, jealous and whipped by the Inquisition, one stops at nothing." The old woman then put in her word, saying: "There are three Andalusian horses in the stable with bridles and saddles, let the brave Candide get them ready; madame has money, jewels; let us therefore mount quickly on horseback, though I can sit only on one buttock; let us set out for Cadiz, it is the finest weather in the world, and there is great pleasure in travelling in the cool of the night." Immediately Candide saddled the three horses, and Cunegonde, the old woman and he, travelled thirty miles at a stretch. While they were journeying, the Holy Brotherhood entered the house; my lord the...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Instant Adaptation - When Survival Demands You Become Someone Else
When genuine threats emerge, ordinary people can instantly transform into whatever version of themselves survival requires.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to rapidly distinguish between situations requiring diplomacy and those demanding immediate protective action.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when your first instinct is to smooth things over—ask yourself if you're protecting peace or enabling harm to yourself or others.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Inquisitor
A religious official with the power to investigate, torture, and execute people for heresy or crimes against the church. The Spanish Inquisition was notorious for its brutal methods and corruption.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern in any authority figure who uses fear and punishment to control people - from abusive bosses to corrupt officials who abuse their power.
Poniard
A thin, sharp dagger designed for stabbing. In Voltaire's time, men often carried these weapons for self-defense in dangerous situations.
Modern Usage:
Today's equivalent would be someone pulling a knife or gun in a confrontation - escalating a conflict to deadly violence.
Rapier
A long, thin sword used by gentlemen for dueling and self-defense. It was considered a more civilized weapon than a dagger or club.
Modern Usage:
Like someone today who legally carries a concealed weapon for protection - prepared but hoping never to use it.
Self-defense killing
Taking someone's life to protect yourself when you reasonably believe you're in mortal danger. Even gentle people can become killers when survival is at stake.
Modern Usage:
We see this in domestic violence cases, home invasions, or any situation where ordinary people are forced to use deadly force to survive.
Flight response
The survival instinct to escape danger rather than fight it. Sometimes running away is the smartest choice, not cowardice.
Modern Usage:
Like leaving an abusive relationship, quitting a toxic job, or getting out of a dangerous neighborhood - sometimes you have to cut your losses and go.
Crisis leadership
When emergencies hit, the person who stays calm and makes decisions often isn't the official leader but whoever thinks clearly under pressure.
Modern Usage:
In any crisis - from workplace emergencies to family disasters - the person who takes charge is usually the one who can think practically while others panic.
Characters in This Chapter
Candide
Reluctant survivor
Transforms from gentle philosopher to killer in minutes when faced with mortal danger. Shows how quickly civilized people adapt when survival is at stake.
Modern Equivalent:
The quiet coworker who surprises everyone by standing up to the office bully
Issachar
Jealous aggressor
Attacks Candide with a knife out of sexual jealousy and possessiveness over Cunegonde. His rage and violence lead to his death.
Modern Equivalent:
The abusive ex who shows up with a weapon
The Grand Inquisitor
Corrupt authority figure
Arrives at the worst possible moment and represents the institutional power that will destroy them all if they don't act quickly.
Modern Equivalent:
The dirty cop who walks in on something that could destroy your life
Cunegonde
Traumatized victim
Horrified by the sudden violence but powerless to stop it. Represents how victims often get caught between dangerous men fighting over them.
Modern Equivalent:
The woman caught between an abusive partner and someone trying to help her
The old woman
Practical leader
Takes immediate control of the crisis, organizing their escape while others are still processing the shock. Shows real leadership under pressure.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced nurse who stays calm during a medical emergency
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Had not Pangloss been hanged, he would give us good counsel in this emergency, for he was a profound philosopher. Failing him let us consult the old woman."
Context: After killing Issachar, Candide realizes he needs practical advice, not philosophy
Shows Candide learning that abstract philosophy is useless in life-or-death situations. He's starting to value practical wisdom over theoretical knowledge.
In Today's Words:
My philosophy professor would know what to say, but he's not here, so let's ask someone with real-world experience.
"What! thou bitch of a Galilean, was not the Inquisitor enough for thee? Must this rascal also share with me?"
Context: Issachar's rage upon finding Candide with Cunegonde
Reveals the ugly possessiveness and jealousy that treats Cunegonde like property to be shared. His dehumanizing language shows his true character.
In Today's Words:
You slut, wasn't one man enough? Now you're cheating with this loser too?
"Holy Virgin! what will become of us? A man killed in my apartment! If the officers of justice come, we are lost!"
Context: Her immediate reaction after Candide kills Issachar
Shows how victims often fear the consequences of their rescue more than the original danger. She knows the system will blame her, not protect her.
In Today's Words:
Oh God, what are we going to do? There's a dead body in my place! If the cops come, we're screwed!
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Candide discovers he can kill when necessary, shattering his self-image as purely gentle
Development
Evolved from his naive optimism in early chapters to practical survival skills
In Your Life:
You might surprise yourself with what you're capable of when someone you love is threatened
Class
In This Chapter
The Grand Inquisitor's power makes him assume he can do anything without consequences
Development
Continues theme of powerful people exploiting the vulnerable, but now shows their vulnerability too
In Your Life:
Authority figures often assume they're untouchable until someone finally pushes back
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Candide transforms from philosophical dreamer to pragmatic survivor in minutes
Development
Major acceleration from gradual disillusionment to rapid practical adaptation
In Your Life:
Growth sometimes happens in sudden leaps during crisis, not gradual steps
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The old woman emerges as the group's true leader while others panic
Development
Shows how crisis reveals who actually has practical wisdom versus who just talks
In Your Life:
Emergencies often reveal who in your circle actually has your back with real help
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Cunegonde is horrified by violence from gentle Candide, expecting him to stay 'pure'
Development
Continues exploration of how society expects people to maintain roles even when impractical
In Your Life:
Others may judge you for adapting to survive, expecting you to stay in your 'nice' box
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What forces Candide to kill two men in a matter of minutes, and how does his behavior change from the beginning to the end of the chapter?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does the old woman immediately focus on escape plans while Cunegonde focuses on the horror of what just happened?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you seen someone you thought was 'gentle' or 'soft' suddenly become fierce when their safety or family was threatened?
application • medium - 4
How do you prepare yourself mentally for situations where you might need to drop your 'nice' persona to protect yourself or others?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the difference between how we see ourselves in calm moments versus who we become under extreme pressure?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Transformation Triggers
Think about the moments when you've surprised yourself by becoming stronger, fiercer, or more decisive than usual. List three specific situations where you transformed under pressure, then identify what triggered each change. Finally, consider what this pattern tells you about your hidden strengths.
Consider:
- •Focus on times when you acted to protect something important, not just when you got angry
- •Notice whether your transformations happened gradually or instantly like Candide's
- •Consider how others reacted to seeing this different version of you
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to become someone different to handle a crisis. What did you discover about yourself that you didn't know before?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 10: Robbed and Resourceful
In the next chapter, you'll discover to pivot when financial security disappears overnight, and learn comparing suffering often misses the point entirely. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.