Candide, Chapter 21 summary
Chapter 21 of 30 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 21, Candide and Martin approach France, discuss Martin’s unhappy experience in Paris, and agree to travel toward Venice, where Candide hopes to meet Miss Cunegonde. Their conversation turns to creation and human cruelty, with Martin arguing that human nature stays fixed and Candide raising free will before they reach Bordeaux.
What happens
- As France comes into view, Martin describes its people harshly and recalls theft, imprisonment, and proofreading work in Paris.
- Candide wants to pass through France toward Venice to await Miss Cunegonde, and Martin agrees to accompany him.
- Martin rejects a book’s claim about the earth’s origins and says the world exists to cause suffering.
- Candide recalls the Oreillon girls and monkeys, but Martin says extraordinary experiences no longer surprise him.
- Martin compares human cruelty to hawks eating pigeons; Candide raises free will as they arrive at Bordeaux.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Martin grounds his view of human behavior in an animal comparison. Candide challenges that comparison by invoking free will.
Quick check
Why does Martin work as a proofreader in Paris?
Cite this page
“Candide, Chapter 21 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/pages/candide-chapter-21-summary.
Library of Alexandria. (2026). Candide, Chapter 21 summary. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/candide-chapter-21-summary
“Candide, Chapter 21 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/candide-chapter-21-summary.
@misc{candide_chapter_21_summary_2026,
title = {Candide, Chapter 21 summary},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/candide-chapter-21-summary}
}
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