Bildungsroman
A story that traces the moral and psychological growth of its protagonist over time
Deus ex machina
A plot device in which some seemingly unsolvable problem is solved with the unexpected and contrived arrival of a new character or situation. Used when the author sees no way out, as a surprise, to bring about a happy end, or as a comedic device.
Hyperbole
An extreme exaggeration
Melodrama
A dramatic work that puts characters in a lot of danger to appeal to the audience’s emotions.
Parody
A humorous imitation of a serious work, for fun
Primogeniture
The right or custom of the firstborn male to inherit a family’s estate.
Understatement
Saying something is less than what it is.
Satire
An artistic work that makes fun of something to point out a more serious problem
Situational irony
When the actual outcome of a situation is starkly different from what was expected
Utopia
A naturally beautiful, perfect place with a society possessing the ideal qualities
Dysphemism
A not nice way of saying something neutral
Persona
A character through whom an author expresses his or her views
Oxymoron
A phrase in which two contradictory words or phrases are near each other
Euphemism
A nice way of saying something not nice
Verbal irony
Verbal irony involves using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of, or markedly different from, their literal interpretation.
Picaresque
A series of adventures in which a roguish character of low social status uses wit to get by in a corrupt society
Bayle’s philosophy
The belief that morality was independent of religion.
Martin is representative of Bayle.
Leibniz’s philosophy
Optimist; he stated that our universe is the best possible that God could have created and that evil isn’t real but is a part of an overall good. He is starized in Candide.
Rousseau’s philosophy
The Noble Savage: Man is naturally good; elements of civilization are what harm him. The man in his uncivilized, “savage” state is pure and innocent of vice.
Locke’s Philosophy
Tabula Rasa: humans are basically born a blank slate, and all opinions and ideas are from experience and perception.
Descartes’ philosophy
Innatism: humans are born with knowledge, placed there by a god or supreme being.
Garden Motif: Garden of Eden
The Castle of the Baron: a paradise for Candide, from which he is expelled after learning carnal knowledge
The Garden Motif: Utopia
Eldorado: a perfect city in the jungles of Peru, where the society is too good to be true
The Garden Motif: One’s own garden
The garden outside the little house at the end: each character has his or her own little plot; they distract themselves with their own gardens
