Candide

The novel follows Candide, a young man whose optimistic worldview is shattered by a series of misadventures across Europe and South America. Under the guidance of Dr. Pangloss, he grapples with the harsh realities of life that contradict the belief in a perfect world. Through sharp wit and humor, Voltaire critiques various societal institutions, including romance, science, philosophy, religion, and government, exposing the absurdity of blind optimism and the complexities of human existence.