Lessons on Candide for the Classroom

This work examines such philosophical ideas (through the text, of course) as, "who is to blame for slavery" -- just the masters, or the people who benefit from the low price of sugar as well. Also Martin's view of life -- and how it fits in with Pangloss' and that of James the Anabaptist as well.  This of course plays off of the idea of nature versus nurture - with James being ever hopeful, Martin being a little hopeful, and Candide believing in the innate goodness of everyone that he meets.

Essay.   An essay prompt with three choices.  The first choice deals with Candide's choice of leaving El Dorado.  A second choice has to do with nature versus nurture and finally, the last essay choice is about the targets of Voltaire's satire.  All of them require extensive use of the text to be proven.

Group Work. This group work begins by comparing parts of this novel to The House on Mango Street and other literary searches. It also continues the discussion of Voltaire's targeting of hypocrisy in all forms.

 A very free form kind of group work were students are given a number of quotes (and songs) about searching and struggling characters (ie from The House on Mango Street, The Great Gatsby).  Students must then find their own connections (first on their own -- and then coming together with other group members). Perhaps this is most analagous to a similar group work for Grendel -- where students must "connect the dots" on their own.   A revised edition of this group work may be found as an attachment - it replaces The House on Mango Street with The History of Love.