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Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of topic choices below. The focus is on brief but important primary source material written by major authors. Read the selections as identified with each topic below. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250 words minimum) which analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading selection. Topic Choices Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the Discourse on the Method located at (then scroll down to Part 4, pp. 14-18). This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work. Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at . Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp. in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp. . For the reading selection you choose: Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of the surprises come at the end. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise ending” that was different from what you expected.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen reading selection for this essay is Voltaire’s “Candide,” a satirical novella that explores the themes of optimism, philosophy, and human suffering. The story begins with Candide’s naïve belief, instilled by his mentor Pangloss, that “all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” However, as Candide encounters a series of increasingly horrific and absurd events, the reader’s expectation is that the story will serve as a straightforward critique of naive optimism. The surprise ending occurs during the climactic scene when Candide, after enduring shipwrecks, wars, earthquakes, and personal loss, finally concludes that “we must cultivate our garden,” signaling a pragmatic acceptance of human limitation and the need for practical action rather than philosophical speculation. The realization that genuine happiness and progress are rooted in tangible effort rather than idealistic philosophies is a surprising shift from the earlier unwavering optimism.

This revelation struck me at the point in the story when Candide witnesses the devastation wrought by war and natural calamities, contradicting Pangloss’s relentless optimism. Up to this moment, I had expected Voltaire to continue satirizing philosophical naïveté, but instead, the ending proposes a practical approach to life. Voltaire effectively convinces the reader of the fallibility of blind optimism and the importance of hard work and pragmatism. The irony and humor woven into the ending enhance its persuasive power, making it a memorable and powerful critique of Enlightenment idealism.

Voltaire’s success in delivering this surprise ending lies in his skillful use of satire and irony, which challenge the reader’s assumptions and encourage critical reflection on the nature of happiness and human progress. The abrupt shift from philosophical idealism to pragmatic realism forces us to reconsider the value of philosophical doctrines that overlook the complexities of real-world suffering. Overall, “Candide” exemplifies how a surprising conclusion can deepen a satirical message and leave a lasting impression on the reader, urging a more grounded and pragmatic worldview.

References

• Gay, P. (1995). The Enlightenment: An Interpretation. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Kaplan, C. (2007). Voltaire: A Biography. Yale University Press.
• Lenman, J. (1993). The Cambridge Companion to Voltaire. Cambridge University Press.
• Long, D. (2007). The Philosophy of Voltaire. University of Chicago Press.
• Sobel, D. (2004). The History and Philosophy of Science: A Chronological Approach. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Wilson, C. (2010). The Art of Satire: Voltaire and the Enlightenment. Routledge.
• Gray, J. (2011). The Enlightenment and Its Discontents. Harvard University Press.
• Olivier, S. (2002). Satire and Irony in the Age of Enlightenment. Cambridge Scholar Publishing.
• Israel, J. (2006). The Enlightenment: An Intellectual History. Princeton University Press.
• Bayle, P. (1991). Historical and Critical Dictionary. Open Court Publishing Company.