Candide, Chapter 1 summary
Chapter 1 of 30 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 1, Candide lives in the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh’s household, trusts Pangloss’s teaching that everything serves the best purpose, and quietly admires Cunegonde. After she observes Pangloss with a chambermaid, she seeks intimacy with Candide; their kiss prompts the Baron to expel him and the Baroness to strike her.
What happens
- Candide lives in a noble household whose servants suspect he is the Baron’s sister’s son.
- Pangloss teaches that everything serves the best purpose, and Candide accepts his claims.
- Cunegonde watches Pangloss’s intimate encounter with her mother’s chambermaid and begins thinking about Candide.
- The next day, Cunegonde and Candide meet behind a screen and kiss.
- The Baron kicks Candide out, while Cunegonde faints and receives blows from her mother.
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In this chapter
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What directly causes the Baron to expel Candide?
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