Voltaire's novel Candide has used its wit to remain one of the most renowned satires ever written. The title character, a naïve and easily influenced man, relies on his mentor Pangloss's teachings of optimism to view his surrounding world. However, throughout their many exploits, the "best of all worlds" theory which Pangloss relentlessly depends on begins to crumble, and a light is shed upon the hypocrisy of organized religion. Voltaire's droll humor allows for full deliberation on the vices of blind optimism and religion.

Throughout the novel, Voltaire emphasizes the absurdity of complete optimism using humor. Pangloss, the "metaphysico-theologo-cosmonigologist," fully supports his theory that any situation is "the best of all possible worlds." However, this premise is proven time and time again to be nonsensical. On their way to Lisbon, their friend and colleague James the Anabaptist drowns during a tumultuous storm at sea. Pangloss vindicates his...