Chapter XXIV
Candide meets Paquette and a Theatin friar; both are miserable despite appearances.
24 argumentative units
- 01Candide's melancholy over Cunegonde's absence
Candide laments that despite traveling extensively, he has not found Cunegonde and concludes she must be dead, expressing regret at leaving El Dorado.
- 02Martin's pessimistic counsel about Cacambo
Martin argues that Cacambo, having acquired wealth, will not seek out Cunegonde or will keep her for himself, and advises Candide to forget them both.
- 03Martin's general claim about virtue and happiness
Martin asserts that there is very little virtue or happiness on earth except in El Dorado, which is inaccessible.
- 04Candide observes a friar and girl appearing happy
Candide points out a cheerful young Theatin friar with a pretty girl, suggesting they appear to be the only happy people he has encountered outside El Dorado.
- 05Martin bets against their happiness
Martin disputes Candide's assessment and bets that the friar and girl are not happy.
- 06Candide invites the pair to dinner
Candide invites the friar and girl to dine with him, believing this will prove they are happy.
- 07Paquette is recognized as Candide's acquaintance
The girl reveals herself to be Paquette, whom Candide knew before, prompting his recollection.
- 08Paquette's account of her miserable life
Paquette recounts how she was seduced by a friar, forced into prostitution, beaten by a surgeon's jealous wife, imprisoned, and now endures the misery of her profession in Venice.
- 09Martin claims he has won half the wager
Martin notes that Paquette's revelation about her unhappiness validates his position.
- 10Candide questions Paquette's appearance of happiness
Candide points out that Paquette appeared gay and affectionate with the friar, contradicting her claims of unhappiness.
- 11Paquette explains her false appearance of contentment
Paquette reveals that she must maintain a cheerful demeanor despite hardship because she was beaten the previous day and must please her current client.
- 12Candide concedes Martin was right
Candide accepts that Martin's pessimism was justified and they proceed to dine together.
- 13Candide compliments the friar's apparent happiness
Candide suggests that the friar enjoys an enviable state with health, contentment, and a pretty girl.
- 14Friar Giroflee reveals his deep unhappiness
The friar confesses that he despises his religious vows, which were imposed by his parents to benefit an elder brother, and that he and his fellow friars live in misery and discord.
- 15Martin declares he has won the entire wager
Martin confirms that the friar's revelation proves his claim that neither the friar nor Paquette is happy.
- 16Candide gives money to Paquette and the friar
Candide gifts money to both, believing it will make them happy.
- 17Martin doubts the money will improve their happiness
Martin expresses skepticism that the money will make them happier, suggesting it may only increase their misery.
- 18Candide finds consolation in reuniting with lost people
Candide notes that he has found people thought lost (his sheep and Paquette), giving him hope of finding Cunegonde.
- 19Martin expresses doubt about Cunegonde's reunion
Martin wishes that finding Cunegonde would make Candide happy but doubts it very much.
- 20Candide and Martin dispute about belief
Candide calls Martin hard to believe, and Martin responds that his experience has shaped his skepticism.
- 21Martin's example of gondoliers' hidden misery
Martin argues that gondoliers appear to sing happily but actually suffer at home, and that even their superiority to the Doge is negligible.
- 22Candide mentions the happy Senator Pococurante
Candide references rumors that Senator Pococurante has never experienced unhappiness.
- 23Martin expresses interest in seeing such a rarity
Martin agrees that such a contented person would be remarkable and worth observing.
- 24Candide seeks to visit Pococurante
Candide arranges to visit the senator the following day to test whether Pococurante is truly happy.