re was used during the Enlightenment as a means of entertainment. He uses satire as a means of pointing out the messed up things in society then as well as today. He makes these ideas seem less intolerable to the reader. Voltaire always had a serious intention behind the laughter in Candide. “Voltaire would be among today’s nonviolent protestors, blasting the Establishment with merciless satire, if he were well protected by friends in high places and invulnerable to consequences” ( Appelgate 12). Voltaire sense of humor in Candide was serious but also funny at times. The time I think was the funniest when Candide sees the women running naked being chased by monkeys. Only to later find out that, the monkeys were the women’s lovers. Voltaire was able to defend either side in a debate. He maintained the idea that literature should be useful and concerned with the problems of everyday life. Satire is an important tool for many great writers past and present. ...
