Lesson Overview 

A Ring Master Teacher Discussion - there is just so much to  talk about - so much to discover here - that I see no other way.  However,  at the end of the previous class I told the students to bring in one very specific thing - quote, comment, or question about the novel that they would be willing to share.  At the end of my Ringmaster Discussion - we get to all of the students comments.  We did this for The History of Love as well.  It's always a good thing to give the students the last word.  However, that means that you allow time - at least 15 minutes for the students to have their comments at the end of the period.
The directions for the discussion can be found in my Lesson Notes below (I have 2 very developed versions). 
Here are just a few of things to cover (see the Lesson Notes for more)

• Recap of the Six Kings (and Martin's great comment about his heart)

• Candide still hasn't learned his lesson - thinks Pangloss would "understand"

• The reunion with Pangloss and Cunegonde's Brother

• Candide's decision to still marry Cunegonde

• The Baron's reaction to that? And then Candide's reaction to the Baron

• More ships getting to their destination - ah, this is found throughout and will echo the message about tending to our Garden

• Their encounter with the Dervish - and his metaphor about God being like the captain of the ship

• Their encounter with the happy farmer and his happy family

• Their decision to "Go work in the Garden"

• A discussion on what this means for everyone - to spend your time doing those things you do best

• Go through the entire class - one student at a time and their comments about the novel.

Thoughts on the Lesson 

What an incredible book for our time!  With the Anxiety Generation and the Epidemic of Stress - the idea that we need to "work in our Garden" is so important.  To be in the moment - to do the things that we do well - and to do them as much as we can.  Like the myriad of ships on their way to their destinations in Voltaire's novel - if we do that - we will eventually get there.