1. Describe the conditions on sugar plantation in the French West Indies. These plantations were the most profitable in all the French Empire. (How do you think they financed their wars?)
2. When Candide hears the black man's story, what does he finally conclude? (Is this a bad moment for him?)
3. What is Candide’s plan to recover Cunegonde?
4. How does Candide get ripped off by Mynheer Vanderdendur?
5. How does Candide meet Martin the Manichean?

Chapter 20

1. What is the topic of Candide's and Martin's conversations while enroute to France?
2. What is a Socinian?
3. What is a Manichean?
4. What is Martin the Manichean's argument for the existence of Satan?
5. Does what happens during the sea battle confirm Martin’s philosophy? What is Voltaire’s point?

Chapter 21

1. What is the purpose is served by the design of the universe, according to Martin?
2. How does he describe man in the state of nature?
3. To what extent would Voltaire agree with Martin? Would he agree that people have Free Will as Candide argues?

Chapter 27-28

1. What will prevent Candide from achieving perfect happiness? How will this occurrence complete his education?
2. What has happened to Cunegonde since Candide saw her last?
3. How is Candide reunited with Professor Pangloss and Cunegonde’s brother? (I thought they both were dead!)
4. How did the Baron wind up enslaved and tortured in the Pasha’s galley?
5. How did Pangloss survive hanging?
6. How did Pangloss wind up in hot water again?
7. How does Pangloss hint that he has modified his belief in optimistic determinism?

Chapter 29-30

1. Where do Candide and his friends decide to make their home? (Recognize this place?)
2. Why does Voltaire turn Cunegonde ugly? How does this artistic choice relate to his vision of the potential of achieving perfect happiness?
3. Why won’t the Baron relent?
4. What is life like on Candide’s little farm? Is that so bad?
5. What is the topic of the philosophical disputes that take place at Candide’s farm house?
6. What is the dervish’s point about the human ability to grasp the origin of evil?
7. What is the mufti’s philosophy of life? How does the existence of ice cream fit into Voltaire’s philosophy?
8. Why is work good?
9. Are the events of life determined or contingent? (ie dependent on one another; related in a sequence of cause and effect) (Even if Pangloss’ idea is ridiculous, does Voltaire believe that any connection between the events of our life can prove the existence of Fate?)
10. Has Candide learned anything from his experience?