English week 4 response

English 205 4A

When Crèvecoeur is discussing what traits define an American the first categories he addresses are the economic and social statuses of person. Namely, he highlights how Americans are more or less humble equals both financially and socially equal. Crèvecoeur then contrasts the lack of castles and honorary titles with the dramatic divide that is explicitly visible between the upper and lower classes in Europe. More than that, he emphasizes that Americans do not thrive off of the products of labor by other persons nor are they kept in a nondescript figurative box where they can be trampled over in society but are instead considered citizens.Likewise, Americans are not externally burdened by religion in the form of bureaucrats, but he willfully contributes what he chooses to such as in the form of a voluntary salary for the minister. Finally, racially Americans are a melting pot of various European blood lines that sees former rivalries fall away, such as the English mingling with the French, in favor of unity towards their new, shared government.

English 205 4B

Both through a process of elimination and similarities it would appear that natural freedom is being exercised by the characters. It's certainly not hegemonic freedom since it's rebelling against the government, meanwhile reciprocal freedom is a bit more peaceful and it's unlikely that it would be used to physically harm another person. Puritan freedom doesn't necessarily address this and it could potentially fall under the generic "liberties" as some kind of exception, but natural freedom is listed as both hostile to institutions and preferring minimal government, both of which create tension with tax collectors.

However, this does not necessarily appear to reflect the same meaning of liberty that Paine discusses in Common Sense. Even though he certainly appears to prefer natural liberty through independence from England as well as emphasizing the importance of becoming an "asylum for mankind"(552) for other Europeans fleeing persecution who just want to live their own lives; as far as I can tell he does not condone violence. At the same time though he unquestionably demonstrates his conviction to break free from England and even though he does not condone violence he does not forbid it either so there's room for speculation based on this text.

English 325 4A

El Dorado as described by Voltaire, differs greatly from the Europe that his character Candide travels through. In Europe, he sees a lot of suffering all caused by greed. Bulgarian soldiers ripped apart the Baron’s property and sexually assaulted his love, Cunegonde. Cunegonde even gets robed on her journey, showing the little regard for property that he is accustomed to seeing. He comes across different issues in Europe which all stem from each person looking out only for themselves, with a few kind acts here and there. In Europe, the wealthy get tutors for their offspring, giving as much information as possible only to those who are to rule in future. El Dorado has educational facilities with a schoolmaster who teaches all children of the city, not making some feel more special than the other.

But in El Dorado, he and his valet Cacambo are surprised to be in a place where the sense of community outweighs personal interests. This is a place paved with streets of gold, and yet the king would rather receive a hug than be bowed to or treated in a more special way than his subjects. He would rather receive a hug an kiss on the cheek than have to follow the customs that surround not just royalty in Europe, but people who were of higher classes. Even the Baron had expected people to treat him specially and he had not ruled as profitable or successful a place as El Dorado. 

The religious practice Candide encounters in El Dorado widely differ from what he is used to. He has seen people treated differently because they belong to a particular religion and narrowly escaped death after he was suspected of being a Jew because he refused to eat bacon. He has been through places where his religion has been put to question. But in El Dorado, he encounters the worship of a single God, where worshippers are more inclined to thanksgiving than the process of praying to ask for something. Once again, the notion of greed among Europeans comes out. The people of El Dorado are more inclined to sharing and gratitude than searching for what they are missing in their lives.

English 325 4B

I think Candide ultimately carries the identity of Voltaire in himself. The contrasting worlds coming from outside and inside El Dorado are part of the message Voltaire is looking to get across. El Dorado is this uptopia where there is no religious persecution or politics to get in the way. I think that Candide tries to act justly and tolerant to all people, but he is constantly being discouraged by the way things go. I believe this is what makes Candide skeptical about reason being a way of confronting the problems of human life because humanity seems like it does not have any reason to it. When Candide encounters the slave on the road to Cunegonde, he sees that his own mother sold him into slavery, which leads Candide to believe there is no faith left in humanity. How can you solve problems at a level where parents are selling off their own children?

Right after, the slave owner even then double crosses Candide with the ship and takes off with his sheep, which just shows how corrupt the world has become. I think it is incredible however that no matter how many times Candide is beaten down he continues on no and give people the benefit of the doubt. The ideas of greed and power convolute humans into only thinking about themselves. I think Voltaire is making a comment on how hopeless the human race is as long as humanity is built on corrupt values. Candide’s need for a partner to come with him on his journey just shows the depressing feat of being alone. Here we see more skepticism on solving this problem of human life as there is no money that seems to fulfill the void in Candide, there is no way to resolve the issue without society itself being changed.

There are constant points of doubt characterized throughout the story, even when the slave owner Vanderdendur receives his due of just punishment and the sheep turn up in the water, Candide believes once again there could be good in the world, however Martin asks him why did the crew who were innocent have to die as well. Candide is constantly on the edge and wants to believe that men can change, thinking people have free will. Martin is basically the complete opposite of Pangloss in the story, and at times of Candide too. He acknowledges the faults of humans and the evil side of human nature and represents the other side of Voltaire’s argument, where logical explanation makes no sense because things are irrational. There are examples of counter argument however like when Cacambo stays loyal to Candide, even though he could have just run off with the money. In summarizing, there are definitely good and bad sides to Voltaire’s message, it would be nice to be able to say rational theoretical thinking should always work, but that is not the way the world works.