Pangloss is a devoted teacher to Candide and an optimist who claims that there is no effect without a cause, and that everything has a purpose. Pangloss was not meant to be a direct attack on Leibnitz. Furthermore, Voltaire wanted people to realize how distorted Leibnitz's idea was. The naive character of Candide listens to Pangloss as he expresses his concept that, "Things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best ends"" (Voltaire 1546). The name Candide originates from the Latin word candidus, which means white, symbolizing innocence. Perhaps Candide was meant to pursue the belief in optimism due to his innocence. However, by the end of the novel, the reader discovers how Candide reacts to the philosophy he depended on, which ultimately allows Voltaire to implicate the message he wants to get across to the reader. Candide allows the reader to literally laugh out loud at the absurdity of some of the characters, especially Pangloss. Throughout the story, satirical references to Voltaire's optimistic theme contrast with natural catastrophes and human wrongdoing. For instance, when reunited with the diseased and dying Pangloss, who had contracted syphilis, Candide asks if the devil is at fault. Pangloss simply responds, "Not at all" (Voltaire 1552) then continuing to state that if there were no diseases, "We should have neither chocolate nor cochineal"" (Voltaire 1552). The fact that Pangloss encounters all of the mishaps and misfortunes that come along his path and still maintains his philosophical optimistic views is humorous in itself. Pangloss's optimism cannot be tarnished, even after he becomes diseased, is burnt at the stake and is chained to oars as a slave. He claims that all of these misfortunes are necessary in a right and just world. At the end of the novel when Candide is reunited with Pangoss, he asks him, "Now that you have been hanged, dissected, beaten to a pulp, and sentenced to the galleys, do you still think everything is for the best in this world?"" (Voltaire 1614).
