Coincidence in candide

            First of all Candide, was illegitimate son of a Baron's sister, was sent to live with the Baron at his castle. After Candide adopted Pangloss' view that he lived in "the best of all possible worlds," Candide became infatuated with Cunegonde, and one day had an intimate encounter with her in the castle. The Baron witnessed this scene and sent Candide from the house. Having no money, Candide found himself in the service of the Bulgar army. Eventually, however, after becomes disillusioned with military service and simply leaves. He was caught and forced to run the gauntlet. After the second round, Candide begged to be killed, but was instead pardoned by the Bulgar king. Later, after surviving a brutal battle and witnessing the repulsive treatment of innocent villagers, Candide once again walked away in disgust. As he wandered through the countryside, he was denied a piece of bread by a preacher who had just finished a sermon on charity. Near starvation, he was finally taken in by a kind Anabaptist. Eventually, Candide was appointed accountant to Anabaptist and journeyed with him toward Lisbon. As they neared the city, their ship was caught in a storm and sank. All aboard were drowned except Candide, Pangloss, and a villainous sailor. As the three reached shore, a tremendous earthquake and volcanic eruption destroyed the city. As he sailor began looting and plundering through the town's wreckage, Candide and Pangloss tried to help the city's survivors, but were arrested by a superstitious mob and slated to be human sacrifices to quell any further earthquakes. Candide was eventually released. After many other twists and turns. Voltaire uses coincidence and biting satire to target religion, military, and optimism in Candide. In this work, Voltaire uses satire as a means of conveying his opinions about many aspects of society. He successfully criticizes religion, the military, and the philosophy of optimism.