The Search for Truth in CandideVoltaireCandide is a novel that contains conceptual ideas and at the same time is also exaggerated. Voltaire offers sad themes masked by jokes and witticisms, and the story itself presents a particular view of life. The crucial contrast in the story concerns the irrational ideas taught to Candide about optimism and reality as seen by the rest of the world. The main theme presented throughout the novel is optimism. From each unfortunate situation in history, Candide, the main character, was advised by his teacher-philosopher that everything in the world happens for the best, because "private misfortunes contribute to the general good, so that misfortunes the more private there are, the more we find that everything is fine” (Voltaire, p. 31). Pangloss, the philosopher, attempts to defend his theories by distinguishing the positive from the negative situations and by showing that misfortunes bring certain privileges. As Candide grew up, every time something unfortunate happened, Pangloss would turn the situation around, bringing out the good side. Candide learns that optimism is “The passion to maintain that everything is going well when everything is going wrong” (Voltaire, p.86). According to René Pomeau, "Voltaire-Candide... made him aware of the evil and the good side of human existence. Candide's morality is born from his style; it is the art of extracting happiness from desolate jumps of the human insect” (Adams; Pomeau p.137). Pomeau explains that Candide shows the two sides of humanity; how great and terrible events are the norm in human life. of the story is to debate between good and evil; for example, as Candide becomes more independent, he begins to doubt that only good comes out of life Pangloss is a very optimistic character in the story because he. refuses to accept evil He is also somewhat naive and believes that he could make the world a better place by spreading his theories on optimism. When Candide found Pangloss after a long time, Pangloss said that he had almost been. hanged, then dissected, then beaten Candide asked the philosopher if he still thought everything was going well, and Pangloss replied that he still maintained his initial views. Although Pangloss had little faith that everything would turn out well, he still maintained his initial views..