The Birth of Modern Satire

In Chapter Six of the classic satirical work, the protagonist Candide and his companion Dr. Pangloss find themselves in Lisbon after the great earthquake that destroyed most of the city. At a loss for what to do in response to the earthquake, the Catholic hierarchy of the area decides to put on an auto-da-fe, which is a public punishment of those who are found guilty of heresy. In describing the people selected for the auto-da-fe, which is to be a public burning, Voltaire makes a specific attack on the ridiculous nature of the Church's harsh dogmatic policies (Fiero, p.629).

"They seized a Biscayan, convicted of marrying his godmother, and two Portugese, who in eating a pullett, had stripped off the bacon" (Fiero, p.629). The first case is referring to the Church's regulation against marrying anyone who may share the slightest familial connection. The second case is referring to the forced conversion of Jews during the inquisition, which was a common occurrence in Portugal in Spain, as many Jews were given the choice of conversion, banishment, or death. The two individuals had pulled the bacon off of their pullett, suggesting they may be secretly practicing the Jewish tradition of avoiding pork. The satirical potential of the Catholic Church in this case is obvious, for how could an institution that promotes such platitudes as "love thy neighbor" and "do unto others" be party to such a bloody persecution as the Spanish Inquisition.

Voltaire's feelings on science and philosophy can be demonstrated primarily with his character Dr. Pangloss. In Voltaire's words, "Pangloss taught metaphysico-theology-cosmoloonigology. He proved most admirable, that there could not be an effect without cause, in this best of possible worlds" (Fiero, p. 625). Throughout the story Dr. Pangloss possess a strangely optimistic scientific viewpoint, and continues to expound upon the causes and effects of things in this best of all possible worlds. For example, "The nose has been made for carrying spectacles, therefore we have spectacles. The legs are visibly designed for stockings, therefore we have stockings (Fiero, p. 624).