Violence and other cruelties represent such a large part of the world that they can never be completely eradicated, no matter how much effort is made to eliminate them. A common coping mechanism when faced with everyday life tragedies is to ignore or attempt to conjure up the “good side” of the situation. In Voltaire's Candide, the main character's faith in philosophical optimism is shaken. With the struggles of the novel, Voltaire most strongly denounces blind philosophical optimism through the use of hyperbole, understatement, and symbolism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThis philosophical and blind optimism can be described as believing that everything is fine and refusing to believe that the universe does not would not allow suffering if he did. were not for a better result. Voltaire largely satirizes this concept using exaggeration, or hyperbole, with Candide, the main character, and his favorite philosopher, Pangloss, as defenders of the fact that they live in "the best of all possible worlds" ( 15). With the tragedies occurring, this statement is a deliberate exaggeration used to mock optimism by attempting to bring cruel and satirical humor to such a description in order to draw attention to its folly. It is for this reason that Voltaire describes everything as the best possible, describing for example Candide as "the gentlest of characters" (15) and the baron's castle as "the most magnificent of castles" (22). This use of hyperbole illustrates the optimists' point of view, but it also serves to show that optimism foolishly restricts our opinions, as it proves these characters' ignorance of the world outside their home. The exaggeration of small details effectively argues the logic of optimism because it draws attention to a strange perspective on life. Voltaire not only uses exaggeration, but he also uses its antithesis: euphemism, or understatement. With the twisted perspective of direct philosophical optimism, while small, unimportant details are exaggerated, the most important and salient ones are abbreviated or are simply presented as "everyday occurrences." For example, after recounting all the horrors that happened to the old woman in her past, Candide says: "'It's a shame... that the wise Pangloss was hanged contrary to custom during a book burning; he would tell us the most astonishing things about the physical and moral evils which invaded the land and the sea…” (46). Rather than expressing concern or sympathy for the old woman's tragic past, Candide ignores it and does not dwell on the horrific nature of the events, downplaying them, expressing that it is all the more unfortunate that Pangloss is not there with them to express his thoughts on the fact that they still live in “the best of all possible worlds”. Even when the tragic event happens directly to Candide, as when he is about to be eaten by the Oreillons, he similarly says: "We will certainly be roasted or boiled." Ah, what would Dr. Pangloss say if he saw what pure nature looked like? It’s okay, I won’t discuss that; but I must admit that it is a cruel fate to have lost Lady Cunegonde and then roasted on a spit by the Oreillons” (56). These euphemisms are essential in illustrating the stupidity of philosophical optimism, because the true horror of these events is simply accepted without a fight. From exaggeration to underestimation, Voltaire denounces the optimism with which Candide and Pangloss actively try to direct their lives and, to denounce it.