Chapter XVII
Candide and Cacambo discover the paradise of El Dorado.
19 argumentative units
- 01Cacambo proposes returning to Europe
Cacambo argues that the hemisphere they are in offers no advantage over others and suggests they return to Europe by the shortest route.
- 02Candide objects with reasons why retreat is impossible
Candide refutes Cacambo's proposal by listing dangers in every potential destination: war in his homeland, persecution in Portugal, and constant danger in their current location, while also expressing reluctance to leave Cunegonde.
- 03Cacambo offers alternative destination and hope
Cacambo proposes heading to Cayenne where French traders might help them, appealing to divine providence.
- 04Narrative of journey hardships and persistence
The passage describes the extreme difficulties of travel—rivers, precipices, robbers, and starvation—yet the travelers survive on wild fruits and find hope near cocoa trees.
- 05Cacambo proposes riding the river current
Cacambo suggests they use a canoe to travel downriver, reasoning that rivers always lead to inhabited places and they will encounter either pleasant or novel things.
- 06Candide accepts and commends to Providence
Candide agrees to the plan and expresses trust in divine will.
- 07Description of dramatic river passage and arrival
The travelers experience a harrowing journey through the river, including passage through dangerous rock formations and rapids, before discovering an extensive fertile plain bounded by mountains.
- 08Candide recognizes this place as better than Westphalia
Candide remarks that the cultivated, beautiful country surpasses his homeland Westphalia.
- 09Discovery that children's toys are precious metals
Candide and Cacambo observe children playing with quoits made of gold, emeralds, and rubies, leading them to mistakenly believe these are royal children.
- 10Candide approaches schoolmaster with recovered jewels
Candide attempts to return the gold and jewels to the supposed royal tutor, who smiles at the gesture and dismisses them as worthless.
- 11Travelers collect the discarded precious materials
Despite the schoolmaster's indifference, Candide and Cacambo gather up the gold, rubies, and emeralds for themselves.
- 12Candide infers superior education from gem-disdain
Candide concludes that the royal children must be exceptionally well-educated if they are taught to despise gold and precious stones.
- 13Arrival at village house with encouraging signs
The travelers approach an elegant European-style building where they hear pleasant music and cooking aromas, and Cacambo recognizes the language as Peruvian.
- 14Cacambo offers himself as interpreter
Cacambo volunteers to interpret and suggests they enter what appears to be a public house or inn.
- 15Description of extraordinary feast and hospitality
The travelers are served an elaborate meal featuring exotic dishes prepared from unusual animals, served in crystal dishes, by elegantly dressed attendants.
- 16Observation of extraordinary politeness among customers
The travelers note that other patrons—merchants and wagon drivers—are remarkably polite and courteous in their inquiries.
- 17Payment misunderstanding and landlord's explanation
When Candide and Cacambo attempt to pay with gold pieces, the landlord laughs and explains that the gold is worthless ('pebbles from highroads') and that the government funds all commercial establishments, so payment is unnecessary.
- 18Candide expresses astonishment at the revelation
Cacambo translates the landlord's remarks, leaving both travelers equally astonished by what they have learned.
- 19Candide and Cacambo conclude they have found paradise
The travelers reason together that this hidden country where all goes well must be the legendary place where everything is good, contrasting it with Candide's experience in Westphalia.