Chapter XV
Candide kills the Baron in a dispute over Cunegonde and flees.
20 argumentative units
- 01Baron's account of survival and Jesuit service
The Baron recounts his survival from the massacre, his rescue by Jesuits, and his rise through the priesthood to become a colonel in Paraguay, all orchestrated by Providence.
- 02Candide avows intention to marry Cunegonde
Candide confirms the Baron's sister is nearby and states his intention to marry her, expressing his desire to pursue this union.
- 03Baron objects to marriage based on family rank
The Baron indignantly refuses Candide's marriage proposal, invoking social hierarchy and family quarterings as justification for why such a union is beneath his sister's station.
- 04Candide counters with egalitarian reasoning
Candide responds that quarterings signify nothing, appeals to his services rescuing Cunegonde, and invokes Pangloss's teaching that all men are equal to justify his right to marry her.
- 05Baron strikes Candide with his sword
The Baron responds to Candide's egalitarian claims with physical violence, striking him across the face with the flat of his sword.
- 06Candide fatally wounds the Baron in self-defense
Candide draws his rapier and kills the Baron in response to the blow, then immediately grieves over having killed his friend and brother-in-law.
- 07Candide laments his violent nature despite his gentle disposition
Candide expresses shock at his own capacity for violence, noting he has now killed three men including two priests, contradicting his self-image as the most good-natured creature.
- 08Cacambo executes escape plan with the Jesuit disguise
Cacambo quickly dresses Candide in the dead Baron's Jesuit habit and mounts him on horseback to facilitate escape, relying on the disguise to pass through camp barriers.
- 09Candide laments his fate while nonetheless eating
When Cacambo urges him to eat, Candide expresses despair over killing the Baron's son and losing Cunegonde, yet continues eating despite his protestations.
- 10Candide shoots monkeys attacking two naked girls
Upon hearing cries and witnessing two monkeys attacking naked girls, Candide uses his marksmanship skills to kill the monkeys, believing he has rescued the girls from danger.
- 11Candide claims killing the monkeys atones for previous sins
Candide argues that by saving the girls, he has made amends for killing an Inquisitor and Jesuit, and suggests this act may bring them advantages in the country.
- 12Girls reveal the monkeys were their beloved companions
The girls weep over and embrace the dead monkeys, revealing through their lamentations that these were their lovers, contradicting Candide's rescue narrative.
- 13Cacambo explains the monkeys were the girls' sweethearts
Cacambo corrects Candide's misunderstanding, explaining that in some countries monkeys are lovers of women and constitute a quarter-human species deserving of such relationships.
- 14Candide recalls Pangloss's teaching on human-animal hybrids
Candide remembers Pangloss mentioning that such human-animal mixtures were once common and produced Centaurs, Fauns, and Satyrs, which he had dismissed as mythology but now recognizes as fact.
- 15Cacambo warns of potential danger from the girls
Cacambo advises that the girls, lacking proper education, may retaliate against them for killing their monkey lovers, prompting a hasty retreat into the woods.
- 16The Oreillons capture and bind Candide and Cacambo at night
While sleeping, Candide and Cacambo are captured and bound by the Oreillons, who have been informed by the girls and prepare to cook them, mistaking Candide for a Jesuit.
- 17Candide despairs at impending death and loss of Cunegonde
Candide laments facing roasting or boiling while separated from Cunegonde, questioning Pangloss's philosophy of pure nature being formed rightly.
- 18Cacambo delivers sophisticated argument to convince Oreillons not to eat them
Cacambo argues that they should not eat a Jesuit who is the Oreillons' defender, claims he killed the actual Jesuit, and appeals to principles of public law, humanity, and justice to spare them.
- 19Oreillons verify Cacambo's account and release them
The Oreillons find Cacambo's argument reasonable, send representatives to confirm his story, and upon verification release their prisoners with civilities and supplies.
- 20Candide reflects that fortune, good nature, and circumstances enabled his survival
Candide marvels that pure nature proves good, as the Oreillons showed civility once he was revealed not to be a Jesuit, and attributes his deliverance to the fortunate consequence of killing the Baron.