Paraguay
Paraguay is a landlocked country in central South America. In Voltaire’s Candide it is the Jesuit kingdom where Candide kills Cunegonde’s brother.
At a glance
| Source | Author | Role | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candide | Voltaire | turning point | The Jesuit kingdom, where the Father Commandant turns out to be Cunegonde’s brother and Candide runs him through |
Sub-places
Candide — Voltaire (1759)
Source: Candide · Original · Readwise highlight
I was servant in the College of the Assumption, and am acquainted with the government of the good Fathers as well as I am with the streets of Cadiz. It is an admirable government.
- Role: turning point
- In the book: Cacambo leads Candide to the Jesuit kingdom, which he describes as ‘upwards of three hundred leagues in diameter’ where ‘the Fathers possess all, and the people nothing’. At the frontier the Commandant breakfasts from gold dishes while the Paraguayans eat maize from wooden ones, and turns out to be Cunegonde’s brother. When Candide says he will marry her, the Baron strikes him and Candide kills him, then escapes in the dead man’s Jesuit habit.
- Why it matters: Voltaire’s satire of the Jesuit missions, who fight the Kings of Spain and Portugal while hearing their confessions. Candide’s third killing drives him into the unknown country beyond.