i'm sitting here reading candide for class tomorrow. and according to the prof, it's funny. am i missing something? lots of it is ironic, but funny? meh.
Yes and no. As I recall, it's basically a commentary on the absolutism of the French monarchy @ Versailles and religion and just about all else. So if you look for the allegories, it's supposed to be witty and amusing. Your prof may try to swing a POV of todays' "society" and how satirists poke fun at the establishment today. It's valid, perhaps, but I try to put a spin on it: that Candide is indoctrinated in the liberal ideals (the optimisim of the title for eg) of the NWO and is di-illusioned by the effects of reality. In any case, it most certainly can be an example of coming of age in a world of beuracratic nonsense. Personally, I like Swift's "Modest Proposal" better. Especially if I think on your obvious Irishness. >;)
I think that Candide is one of those works that while now isn't overly funny(but yes Ironic) during it's time Voltaire was very of the minute. A lot of the references if I remember correctly are timely that yes would have probably been very funny to it's audience of the day. I would sort of compare it to an old Bugs bunny cartoon from the 30's or so...while it's still funny for us a lot of the timely reference are now lost on us. Maybe your prof, knows the time period well, that or they're just being pretentious.
Good point on the Warner Bros. A lot of the WW-II references and humour in many Bugs Bunny cartoons were lot on me when I was 5, but made a lot more sense after my grandmother explained it years later. Like I grew up reading Uncle Remus, and having it read to me (complete with authentic southern drawl). It was not until years later I came to understand the nature of the humor.
Perhpas just taste?mercurtio247February 8 2008, 14:51:54 UTC
Could be like some folks think British Humor is the end-all, and others just don't take to it's calculated rudeness and scathing wit? You and I also disagreed on the Screwtape Letters being an enjoyable read. Could also just be this guy has a lame sense of humor.
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As I recall, it's basically a commentary on the absolutism of the French monarchy @ Versailles and religion and just about all else. So if you look for the allegories, it's supposed to be witty and amusing.
Your prof may try to swing a POV of todays' "society" and how satirists poke fun at the establishment today.
It's valid, perhaps, but I try to put a spin on it: that Candide is indoctrinated in the liberal ideals (the optimisim of the title for eg) of the NWO and is di-illusioned by the effects of reality. In any case, it most certainly can be an example of coming of age in a world of beuracratic nonsense.
Personally, I like Swift's "Modest Proposal" better. Especially if I think on your obvious Irishness. >;)
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Like I grew up reading Uncle Remus, and having it read to me (complete with authentic southern drawl). It was not until years later I came to understand the nature of the humor.
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You and I also disagreed on the Screwtape Letters being an enjoyable read.
Could also just be this guy has a lame sense of humor.
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