In chapter XVII, Candide and his manservant, Cacambo, enter the country of El Dorado. Here, Voltaire takes the opportunity to further satirize governments, religion, philosophy, and war. All of the religious figures Candide encounters throughout the story are corrupt and sexually promiscuous even though they have taken vows of chastity. El Dorado is a counter for all of the evils of Europe. He uses El Dorado rhetorically to contrast the vices of the real world. If you had not noticed the insanity of the Europeans in the world Voltaire paints, El Dorado, certainly gives a frame of reference.
At the beginning of the story, Candide is taught from very early in life by the philosopher, Pangloss, that we all live in the best of all possible worlds. Candide accepts this philosophy without question. He has experienced nothing of the outside world. Candide has experienced no cruelty or evil. He has seen no misery or suffering. …
