"Candide", a satire dealing with the author's dislike of the optimistic era in which he lived, tells of the doleful trials faced by the story's protagonist Candide. Voltaire abhors the actions taken by his fellow man and writes to try and evoke change; however, the outcries fell on deaf ears for the people were optimistic and whatever happened, happened for the best. Voltaire uses "Candide" as his microphone and models the piece's world after both the problem and possible route to the alleviation of mankind's flaws. One can say that the populace exhibits the short comings of the world, and El Dorado functions as the better potential path that if followed would alter the world for the better.
             Voltaire's experiences in life led him to believe that the world faced a terrible end if it continued onward at its present state. "Candide" serves as the prime example of all of the miseries of the earth. For instance, after an earthquake destroys Lisbon, Portugal, the people have an Auto-da-fé simply because a university decides that "burning a few people...is an infallible secret to hinder the earth from quaking" (13). Foolhardiness such as this scintillates from mankind. Sacrificing others solves nothing, and, worst of all, the people more than likely knew this. Of course that example pales in comparison to a religious authority lambasting Candide for his indecision on whether to be for or against the Pope. The clergyman preaches to the people of the need to help one another and now contradicts himself by leaving Candide to his own after his pleas for assistance. Ironically enough, a heretic serves as the only form of charity for Candide.
             Voltaire does not believe that he has a solution for the world's troubles. However, he does have a potential model city, El Dorado. El Dorado serves as the ideal welfare state, everyone has his own opinion and everyone lives wit...