Lesson Overview 

So this discussion will go over the important parts of the earlier chapters (20-24) to see if they got the idea - on their own or in their groups.  In addition, there are some important ideas that were not covered in the group work that the discussion will cover.  There is also the very personal idea of Candide betraying his beloved Cunegonde - and I always want to see the students' reaction to it - both in their reading and how they feel as a class. See earlier discussions for more information and/or my page on class discussions.
Here are just a few of the big ideas covered in this discussion (see my lesson notes for more)
pointing the finger at ourselves for acts that require evil deeds (eating sugar & slavery)

• Candide never met "men" except in El Dorado

• Once again, the ship getting to its destination while they talk (so important for the book and the end)

• the critic - a bookend to the later Pococurante

• Why DOES he love Cunegonde?

• Paquette and Giorflee  &  Brother Giroflée and the lost bet

• Martin - and his sense of hope

• The first thing Candide & Martin see is his Garden - it is also rejected by Pococurante (see the book ending on Gardens)

Thoughts on the Lesson 

A lot of overlap here with the Group Work - but it is a short book, requiring only a few weeks to complete - and there are definitely some sections that require going over - and some chapters, small though they may be, that need a very thorough discussion.