Expect the Unexpected

At the beginning of the story I felt bad about Candide. He had fallen in love with Lady Conegonde just with one kiss and in seconds he was being kicked out (literally). He had past through terrible things, the earthquake, almost being sacrificed and the thought that Lady Conegonde was dead devastated him. When I reached the part when he reencounters with Lady Conegonde I couldn’t believe it. He had past through such terrible things that I never thought something to cheer him up would happen, especially because Pangloss death had been so sudden. 

When I read the title of Chapter VII, How an old woman took care of Candide, and how he found the lady he loved I though that in another of his adventures Candide would meet a woman that would make him get over of Lady Conegonde, but for my surprise it was her! The old lady that took care of him was very mysterious because she didn’t say much but when he got to Lady Conegonde´s house we understand why. When Candide and his love finally meet I couldn’t help myself to start reading faster because I wanted to know what was going to happen, and how on earth was Lady Conegonde alive. I though it was enough of a surprise that Pangloss was alive but no, this book is full of surprises. 

When I learned what had happened to her I didn’t know if to feel bad or good for her. She lost all of her family and although she was alive she would have to pass through all her days without them. Not only were they dead but also she had to see how they killed them. When the Bulgars got her they didn’t kill her but she was put in harsh conditions being a maid and later being sold. But even though she passed through all this she wasn’t so bad because she had almost her own house and lived most of the time by herself except when the two men would go and visit her. That is what I think is the worst of all, that although she seems to be alive she might as well be dead because she doesn’t control her life, her owners do. But at the same time it is great that she is alive because something more can happen between her and Candide. 

I finished reading when Don Issachar arrived at the house, I haven’t read further but I can’t wait! What will be his reaction with Candide? Will he get mad? Will he punish Lady Conegonde? Is it the last time Candide and Lady Conegonde will be together? Well this story has shown me that anything can happen. If I were Candide I would act something out, I would say that I was looking for a job and that I would be ready to serve Don Issachar with whatever he wanted, so he wouldn’t have to be separated from Lady Conegonde once more. This is a story that has love in it and I hope that the love that Candide and Lady Conegonde have towards each other can grow even more.  After all poor Candide has been through Voltaire should give him a break.