Candide

Set against the backdrop of the Age of Enlightenment, this French satire follows Candide, a young man whose sheltered life is shattered as he confronts the harsh realities of the world. Under the influence of his mentor Pangloss, he grapples with the philosophy of optimism, only to face disillusionment through various hardships. Voltaire employs a sarcastic tone and a fast-paced, fantastical narrative to critique religion, government, and philosophical ideals, ultimately advocating for a more pragmatic approach to life with the notion of "cultivating our garden."