I continue to write a second letter, again from Candide, to even further explore and exaggerate his internal emotions. In contrast to the first letter, there is a shift towards a more negative and apathetic tone, and there is a switch from Candide requesting that Cunegonde remain faithful, to questioning his own loyalty to their marriage. I intend to portray yet a different side of Candide, one that displays how he struggles with and questions his love for Cunegonde, in parallel to Voltaire’s writing. In addition, the reader can understand the more practical side of Candide, because instead of letting his passion overwhelm him, he turns to face his situation more realistically. Voltaire creates a purpose for their marriage when Candide chooses to marry Cunegonde to prove to her brother that it is possible. I imitate this portion of the story, when the second letter concludes with his ultimate decision to marry Cunegonde despite his change of heart.
In this piece, I will imitate Voltaire’s writing by incorporating his comical style of exaggeration. This approach suggests that Candide’s feelings about relationships are far more complex than how they appear and seem rather shallow as Voltaire intended to convey to his readers. I will also write the letter in first person, in contrast to Voltaire’s third person narration. This technique offers a more personal account, allowing for a greater comprehension of the aspects of Candide’s character that I have chosen to focus on in this classic love letter.
Candide’s Letters (Based on Voltaire’s Candide)
My Dearest Cunegonde,
How I long to be in your arms at a time like this! Since my departure from the palace at Westphalia, my life has become one of wretched thoughts because I am currently a man who is deeply deprived of love. This condition cannot be healthy for any gent of my sort, but I find it punishing not to ponder what it may feel like to be hand in hand roaming the streets of the Monsieur castle with the one I miss most. Sometimes my mind rewinds, prevailing the image of our first kiss, and I can remember each specific detail of that day as if it were the only moment left in the world. I recall lifting your hands of heaven up to my eager lips and as the two met, there was a spark that ignited in my heart and continues to beam at rapid rates. There are not words to describe what overwhelming yet fabulous emotions I felt in that instance, and my only desire is that, one day, I will get to relive this moment over again and profess my true affection. This letter may serve to do that to some degree, but there is nothing finer than hearing from the real man himself. My expressions will then become evident, and the reality of love will rise to the surface. My hope that this will come in the very near future allows me to sleep peacefully at night. I do not want to drag on my professions, for I want to save those for later, but instead I will tell you my present whereabouts. If this writing does indeed arrive at your doorstep, then you may have some form of knowledge as to where you may come find me. My banishment left me wandering terribly hungry and physically exhausted but also bewildered regarding where to find shelter and a place to rest each night. I found refuge from two accommodating men who qualified me to serve as a Bulgar soldier. My days consist of abuse and hardship amid long nights and impenetrable work. I plan to escape from the armed grounds and continue towards Lisbon and our destiny, but for now I remain a loyal soldier. Who can tell how long it may take to get there, but do not worry my beloved, for all this time and travel is for you and our future together. My situation is far less compelling and needy of attention than my worries of your safety and health. I am tortured by the thought that you may not be alive because not one soul has spoken about you and your noble family. Before I retire each night, I pray that you are safe and out of harm’s eager arm, but at times I am haunted in my nightmares with images of dangers brought upon by earthquakes, wild animals, or anxious men that are ready to bring danger into your life. My attempts to rid of these horrific ideas are replaced with enthusiastic visions of what may come when our souls join once and for all. I get carried away thinking we may marry in a mystical garden filled with budding roses or ride horseback out into the extending countryside. More realistically, I think of how much we have yet to converse about in order to make up for all this lost time spent apart. I know that my feelings for you extend to the stars, and I hope yours are just as endless and indubitable as mine. I remain faithful to our connection because my intuition has expressed that this love is indeed real. My heart tells me that somehow we will be brought back together whether it is in eight days or eight months. Our separation is painful, but each and every day that passes leading me one step closer to the extremity of my journey and closer to where you, my love, await. Remain faithful to our connection.
Sincerely,
Candide
My Dearest Cunegonde,
I write to you once more, because I must inform you of a hardship I am experiencing with my feelings of love. Our separation has been very strenuous and at times I feel the need to rely on others to ease the pain that has been eating me alive. I must confess that one night I was distraught and a woman appeared in my bedroom while at the Bulgar camp. She evoked feelings that reawakened my purpose on earth as if I was capable of loving again. We spent one long night together, and as much as I would like to proclaim that I didn’t enjoy our time, I cannot force such words to pour from my lips. This incident has struck me more than you can understand, and I must now explicate my realization. Although I have failed to devote myself entirely to our love, I have decided, that despite my change of heart, it is my duty to marry such a fine woman, one who should not be left to live aloof. I am confident that our relationship will persist despite any flaws that have ensued. Cunegonde, dearest, you are my destiny, my present, and my future in the end.
Sincerely,
Your Candide
Works Cited
Voltaire. Candide, or Optimism. Translated by Theo Cuffe. New York: Penguin, 2005.
