François-Marie Aroused, more commonly known as Voltaire, was an 18th-century philosopher and writer known for his satire, wit, and influence on the Age of Enlightenment . The Ancien Régime or ancien regime is a word to describe the social and political system of France from approximately the 15th century until the French Revolution of 1789. Throughout the novel, we learn how the view of women, wealth and how it was valued. above all, the social classes and religion in the 18th century which characterized the Ancien Régime. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Eighteenth-century women were often viewed as objects to be bought, used, and sold. Although Voltaire does not spend much time developing female characters, Cunegonde's story of use, rape, and sale sheds light on how women of the time were perceived. During the invasion of the castle, Voltaire wrote: “A Bulgarian captain appeared, he saw me covered in blood and the soldier too determined to get up. Shocked by the monster's inability to come to attention, the captain killed it on my body, then had my wound dressed and took me to his quarters, as a prisoner of war. I washed a few shirts and did his cooking; he found me attractive, I admit, and I won't deny that he was a handsome man, with smooth, white skin; But apart from that, little wit, little philosophical training, it was obvious that he had not been raised by Doctor Pangloss. After three months he had lost all his money and had had enough of me; so he sold me to a Jew named Don Issachar, who traded in Holland and Portugal and who was crazy about women. This Jew developed a great passion for me, but it led to nothing; I remembered him better than with the Bulgarian soldier; for although a person of honor may be raped once, his virtue is only strengthened by that experience. » Cunégonde's story illustrates the vulnerability of women and how they were often seen as objects, bought and sold like food or clothing. The Bulgarian captain is a great example of how women were treated. The Captain found Cunégonde attractive and cared for her, but when he encountered financial difficulties he undoubtedly sold here, tired of her. Even after Candide tells her story and how the Bulgarian raped her and left her with a wound on her thigh, he says how much he wants to see her. Treating women as objects as seen in the novel would only change hundreds of years later. Voltaire comments on the perceived correlation between wealth and happiness. El Dorado was a land of such riches that when Candide went to pay for a meal with two large pieces of gold, he was mocked for trying to give him rocks. But after a month of staying in their refuge, Candide realizes: “If we stay here, we will be like everyone else, whereas if we return to our world, taking with us a dozen sheep loaded with pebbles of Eldorado, we will be richer than all the kings combined, we will no longer have inquisitors to fear and we will easily be able to recapture Mademoiselle Cunégonde. This harangue pleased Cacambo; wandering is such a pleasure, it gives such prestige to a man to be able to talk about what he has seen outside, that the two happy men resolved not to be so anymore, but to take leave of his majesty. then chastises the two for their foolish plan, but nevertheless helps them carry it out. Part of the king finds their plan insane because the happiness of El Dorado does notdoes not come from their wealth, as was the case throughout Europe. Compare this with Europe where even the richest people often aspired to more wealth. A few weeks into their journey, Voltaire emphasizes wealth and riches when Candide says: “My friend, you see how ephemeral the riches of this world are; the only solid things are virtue and the joy of seeing Mademoiselle Cunégonde again. Candid now after seeing a land of infinite wealth, I learn that although physical wealth can withstand, virtue and mental happiness are unshakable. Social classes in the 18th century were strict, rarely allowing progression through class. One of the many reasons for this was that those of the upper classes disdainfully looked down on those below them. “That’s all I want,” said Candide; I expected to marry him, and I still hope to. - Your insolent dog replied the baron, you would have the audacity to marry my sister who has seventy-two quarters! It is a presumption on your part to speak in my presence about such a crazy project. Candide, frightened by this speech, replied: — Very reverend father, all the cantonments in the world do not intervene in this matter; I snatched your sister from the arms of a Jew and an inquisitor; she has a lot of obligations towards me, she wants to marry me. Master Pangloss always taught me that men are equal; and I will certainly marry him. “We will see about that, you rascal,” said the Jesuit Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh; and so, saying that he struck him in the face with the flat of his sword.” The baron's son is more concerned with Candide's social status than with her merits or character, regardless of the fact that they share true love. one for the other, and Candide saved Cunégonde from a life of servitude to a Jew and inquisitor. Once Candide returns from his adventures and I find Cunégonde, and when she reminds him of his promise to marry her, he leaves even though she has lost her beauty. How, said the baron, I will not suffer such wickedness on his part and such insolence on yours; No one will ever blame me for this scandalous thing; my sister's children could never enter the church in Germany. No; my sister will only marry a baron of the empire. Candide feels that he must marry Cunégonde, despite having lost her beauty and her castle, he also feels that he must do it despite the baron. The social structure of the Ancien Régime in the 18th century was incredibly strict. The aristocracy's view of the lower class is one of absolute inferiority. Voltaire perceived the aristocracy as corrupt and concerned only with their lineage. Voltaire was adamant about the separation of church and state, believing that any institution with such power rarely did good, using its power over people to extort and manipulate them. Religious conflicts were omnipresent in the 18th century, whether provoked by States or by Churches. Eldorado is unique compared to Europe because it has a single undisputed religion, meaning there is no conflict between religions, allowing for peace. “Cacambo meekly asked what the religion of Eldorado was. The old man blushes again – can there be two religions he asked, I guess our religion is the same as everyone else's, we worship God from morning to evening – so you worship a singing deity, said Cacambo, who always served as an interpreter for Candide's questions. .— it’s obvious, said the old man, that there are not two of us, nor three, nor four. I must say that people in your world ask some very remarkable questions. » Eldorado's situation is unique because all its citizens have reached agreement on the.