Perfect City for Perfect People

As I am beginning to read Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino  I can't help but notice the thorough descriptions of each city. Calvino touches each one of your senses in his descriptions and before you know it, you are trapped in a world of description. Each time a new city is introduced the descriptions allow me to imagine the perfect scenario of this city and feel almost as if I belong to it, as if I am trapped in it.

I am not sure if this feeling of being trapped is positive or negative in the case of the book. I say this because the city's seem as if they were meant to grab hold of you and in a way force their citizens to stay there, just as if they were a utopia in which you could either adapt, be joyous or at least fake contentment, or be extinguished by it. Until now, it seems almost as if you had no other choice than to accept the city you were placed in or born in. There was one specific phrase that made me feel this feeling of imprisonment, on page 12: "The city appears to you as a whole where no desire is lost and of which you are a part, and since it enjoys everything you do not enjoy, you can do nothing but inhabit this desire and be content." This description is employed as Calvino introduces Anastasia to us, a city that can be both "malignant and benign."


Calvino uses personification as he describes most of the cities. This technique is definitely well employed as it adds that certain fascination and in a way spookiness to each of the cities. With each phrase, Calvino grasps the attention of the reader more and more until he is drowning in a sea of powerful details.

Generosity and Survival

In chapter three of The Selfish Gene we learn that genes benefit from assisting their host. Richard Dawkins states that Genes who help their host are prone to survive. Meanwhile, the odds of survival of genes that choose not to assist their host are extremely low. With this, we can conclude that the body may only function as a whole, especially when it comes to genes.

Another fact stated by Dawkins in the chapter that although logical, continues to surprise me is that there is an uncountable number of plants, animals, and viruses. We probably have not discovered half of the viruses that affect humans and animals daily, which is shocking and terrifying. Will we ever acknowledge all of these viruses? How many living creatures will be killed by them before these viruses are discovered and cured?

We live in a society in which we no longer take our time to appreciate nature and the animals surrounding us. In fact, we have destroyed the habitat of these animals and have pushed them into endangered species lists, etc. It is important for us to understand that everything that we do affects most of these species and that if we do nothing to prevent the harming of the environment we will extinguish species we have not even discovered or acknowledged.

Could humans be similar to genes? If we do not assist animals and other living things in our surroundings will we have the risk of extinction?

Stability or Nothing?

            In the second chapter of The Selfish Gene we can see the importance of stability in life. Dawkins explains Darwin's theory of natural selection and opens a new perspective on the theory of evolution. Then, Dawkins goes into how the simplest forms of lives were created with atoms that required stability to survive. He furthermore explains that proteins are composed of amino acids, proving that complex molecules and other biological compounds develop from the simplest units.

            As I was reading, I realized how both of these biological facts are essential to a person psychologically as well. Not only because a malfunction in the human body biologically will most likely affect the brain, but also due to the fact that stability is essential to maintaining emotional balance and reaching success. How can one expect to taste victory when aspects of one's life are not in equilibrium?

            

           The fact of complex life forms forming from simple ones also relates psychologically to us. This is because we must understand that processes are one step at a time; you always start out small and grow from that. After all, how can you expect to understand engineering when you don't even know the basics of physics? 

The theory of evolution requires an understanding of both these ideas, as stability and development are basic biological factors. This is precisely why Dawkins goes into the subjects as an introduction to the topic. With the last sentence of chapter two we may predict that later on we are likely to learn about the evolution of humans in detail: "They have come a long way, those replicators. Now they go by the name of genes, and we are their survival machines." (pg. 20)  

All Is For the Worst

'For my part, Sir,' replied the scholar, 'I think nothing of the sort. I find that all goes wrong with us, and that no one knows his place in society or his proper employment.' (pg. 104)

Candide ends up in a supper, surrounded by nobles and wealthy people. Here, he meets a gentleman who seems to be educated philosophically. Candide mentions Dr. Pangloss' ideas and asks this man what his opinion is on the subject. This man believes the complete opposite and thinks that absolutely everything is wrong with the world and humans.

Here, Voltaire presents two complete different philosophies that are both equally as absurd. However, these two philosophies are exactly what we think once we have accomplished something or have failed at doing so. When we do succeed we automatically think, "things aren't at all bad" or "I could not be any happier." These are definitely broad statements, but they demonstrate that our perspective of life depends on our current situation.

It is highly unlikely for someone to believe that life is completely fair and that everything is for the best when they are parched, homeless, and weak. In this scenario the person is probably going to frown upon society and our way of living. Therefore, those who live happily may agree with Pangloss' ideas more than those who strive to survive.

In life things are not all for the worst or for the best at all. We cannot say that humans are naturally evil because there is not one single person that is going to be "evil" according to everyone. In general, everyone has a little bit of everything and should not be stereotyped under one characteristic. It is easy for us to judge society and conclude that people are naturally good or evil, but we have to focus more on what we aport to it. In other words, be the change and don't criticize how others act. If you disagree with something you should definitely make your point by trying to fight against it.

Hundreds Die While Sheep Survives

After Candide and Cacambo part, Candide is able to convince a man into letting him board his ship. As he is heading towards his destination, the ship crosses the path of two  other ships that are at war. There is one French ship that is shooting cannons at the other and manages to sink it. As the ship is sinking, Candide observes men aboard that begin to stretch their arms toward heaven. All of them drown. Seconds after, Candide leans over the ship and notices that one of his sheep has survived and is know swimming towards him. How ironic. 

Men that have been praying to survive all die but a sheep that does not even express itself properly manages to swim aboard the ship. This shows that those who are in any way religious are doomed and will most likely die. In my opinion, Voltaire is not saying "If you pray, you die" but he is rather demonstrating that God cannot guarantee safety to you, no matter how much you pray. Everyone is at risk in life, which is just a part of living. Instead of stretching their arms towards Heaven, these men should have been searching for something to help them survive. Sure, miracles do occur (rarely), but the truth is that in life you have to work for what you want and you can't just wait for it to be "miraculously" handed to you. 

This is definitely a crude message as are many others in this book, but it is unfortunately true. Some people waste an eternity asking for things but they never act. They don't realize that the odds of them reaching a goal or even just getting something they desire are extremely low if they don't make an effort. We tend to ask ourselves why can he/she achieve that and I can't? We even think that at times life can be unfair, but the person who won probably did try harder than you, which is hard to face/admit. However, if we do choose to accept this, we can just try harder next time to reach our goal. There are times in which a decision that affected you might have been unfair, but this is not every time that you lose or miss out on something. In these cases, you just have to move on.      

Purpose of God

'We never pray,' said this good and venerable man; 'we have nothing to ask of God, since He has given us everything we need. But we thank him unceasingly.' (pg. 79) 

Candide and his servant arrive at Eldorado where they meet a wise old man who tells them this. Here, we can see the honesty and gratitude of this old man. This man does not probably live in the best conditions, due to the poverty of the village. However, he still has the gratitude to wake up every morning and thank God for everything that has been given to him. 

This is one of the faults that we have today. We don't focus on everything that we have and aren't thankful for it. Instead, we want more. We only look for God once need help or want something, but never to simply express thankfulness. Sure, there are those who don't believe in God, but this doesn't mean that they should not appreciate everything that they have. Without gratitude, we are never fulfilled. We have become greedy and insecure due to this lack of gratitude. 

Many of us observe others and think: Why can't I have that life? If I did, I would be so much happier. Yet, we don't realize all that we have. There are many things that go wrong with life, but so many others that are near to perfect. At times, we think that we are the unluckiest person alive or that things couldn't possibly be worse, but there are so many people that have it much worse than you. So, instead of desiring another's life, accept and treasure your own. And if you simply can't then make an effort to change your life, but don't for one instance think that you are needy or unlucky because truth is, you probably aren't. 

Monkeys For Priests

To save Lady Cunegonde, Candide kills two priests. He then runs into his former master, the sibling of his lover, and shares with him the idea of marrying this man's sister. Then, the Colonel gets irritated, insults Candide, and is killed. Candide therefore must cross the frontier to escape and sees that two monkeys are biting two girls' buttocks. Candide apparently has no other option but to shoot the monkeys and states that he has saved the girls, which compensates for the killing of the two previous priests.   

Here, Voltaire is clearly criticizing the church as an institution by saying that killing two monkeys is basically the same as killing two priests. Monkeys have always had the reputation of being ridiculous, although they are the most similar animals to humans. Voltaire is demonstrating that priests and members of the church are full of nonsense and absurdity. This was a common belief in the eighteenth century, as the church was challenged by reason. 

It is not right to kill anyone and is even worse to kill three people and then two animals. This is all part of the absurdity and irony of Candide.  If we were to take the book literally, we would not perceive Voltaire's criticism of society and especially of the religious institution. Another aspect of the church that Candide touches is the possession of land: 

"The reverend fathers own the whole lot, and the people own nothing: that's what I call a masterpiece of reason and justice." (pg. 62) 

The Church promoted justice and equality, which was completely hypocritical. The institution owned the great majority of the land while many were left homeless. Sure, it did talk about helping the poor, but what was it doing itself? During this period, the church was extremely corrupt and was more worried about increasing it's own fortune than about helping others. Many did not realize this and let themselves be manipulated by the institution. Thankfully, at some time the lands were stripped away from it and were distributed amongst the people. Although, much of the land was given to the already rich nobles, which also goes with Voltaire's belief of life not being just.  

Men Prosper, Women Suffer!

As we may have seen throughout the book, women during this time were severely discriminated. Every time that men would succeed fighting, women would be raped by soldiers. We can see this both lady Conegonde and her maid, the old woman that found Candide. In this time period, the most valuable virtue to a women was her virginity and this was usually taken by a her husband or a man she loved. Voltaire describes scenes in which women are raped and lose this virtue, which shows that at this time, women were completely vulnerable and unappreciated.

The old lady who is Lady Conegonde's servant was a princess and was then sold into slavery. This must not be interpreted literally because royalty did suffer greatly with Revolutions at this time, but surely did not end up being sold into slavery. This actually means that without this one virtue, and having it taken away in such a horrible manner, the old lady lost her honour, self- confidence, and pride completely. At some point, the old lady has just been raped and a man comes towards her and basically says to her that being a woman at that time was a disgrace, which is harsh but true. "O che sciagura d'essere senza coglioni."

Here Voltaire clearly criticizes society  because women were not respected and appreciated by many. Women in most countries did not gain their rights fully until the late 19th century and early 20th century. In fact, women in many countries are still severely discriminated. It astounds me to think that after all this time, women have still not fully gained the respect that they deserve.

Everything for Good vs Men Changed Nature

'Men,' he said, 'must have somewhat altered the course of nature; for they were not born wolves, yet they have become wolves. God did not give them twenty-four-punders or bayonets, yet they have made themselves bayonets and guns to destroy each other. In the same category I place not only bankruptcies, but the law which carries off the bankrupts' effects, so as to defraud their creditors.' (pg. 31)

'For it is impossible for things not to be where they are. because everything is for the best.' (pg. 35)

Both quotes above are significant in the book Candide because they represent two different philosophies which have, until now, been shared. The top quote states that men have changed the world and the course of nature as they have invented objects that promote violence, even amongst them. This quote is said by James, the anabaptist, who disagreed entirely with the ideas of Dr. Pangloss. This philosopher on the other hand, believed that everything was meant to be and that everything was for the best.

James' philosophy is much more realistic and true because there are certain things in society, such as violence, that unfortunately exist. Violence was something that men created even though animals do share this characteristic as well. However, men claim to be much more "civilized" and have the capacity to reason. Why would they kill each other? Animals kill each other to survive, men do it because of intolerance of other's beliefs. How can this ever be right?

Dr. Pangloss' idea is however what many do think, although it does sound absurd. Unconsciously, people believe that what they do is always for the best. Otherwise why would they do it? The thing is, each person thinks of what is the best for them, not others. This is an extremely self-centered philosophy, which definitely ends up in violence because there are very few things that are best for all. However, Dr. Pangloss' thinking is not necessarily always negative either. In terrible situations, people often find comfort when thinking that whatever has happened is for the best, which is true. Although there are unpleasant moments, these tend to make you stronger. Neither of these ways of thinking are incorrect, but to be beneficial they should be applied carefully and wisely.

Militarization, Also Known as Manipulation

The truth is, although we like to believe that every soldier is a hero, this is not necessarily true. Candide meets two men after a rough night sleeping in the cold, which buy him a meal. They say to him: " People of your appearance and merit, Sir, never pay for anything." (pg. 22) They pretend to be genuine and kind gentlemen but are actually tricking him into joining the army. After enjoying the meal, Candide is put in chains and taken to serve military service. Here, Voltaire criticizes the process of militarization severely. He demonstrates that people in charge of recruiting troops do manipulate others into joining the army. Of course, not necessarily by buying them meals, but they do not always share with them the conditions that they will be facing. Therefore, people join the army not knowing exactly what they will be going through, and can then not drop out. They get caught up on the idea of being a national hero, but is being a hero worth all the pain? Worth separating millions of families and not being able to even talk to your own?



We like to believe the best of all people, which is what Candide did in this situation, but this is unfortunately unrealistic. Some will complete a task just to get it over with and do not care about what others will have to go through. Candide suffered greatly while he was in the army and this is reality. A quote that stood out to me from this was 'You are quite right,' said Candide;'for that is what Mr. Pangloss used to tell me. I am convinced by your courteous behaviour that all is for the best.' (pg. 23) Here, Mr. Pangloss represents society, as it fills people with ingenuity at times. We sometimes unintentionally get tangle ourselves in issues that could have been avoided if we had not trusted in others so easily.


It is hard to face this "ugly truth" because we tend to believe the best in all people, but this is completely false. Behind every satire there is definitely a hidden lesson, and in this case the lesson is to not trust people so easily. However,  another lesson behind this ironic situation is to make sure that people know what conditions they will be going through once you have asked them to do something. After all, no one wants to endure unexpected agony and frustration.

Is Suicide for Cowards?