Der Goldene Utopie

Der Goldene Utopie

“…We have nothing to ask of G-d, since He has given us everything we need. But we thank Him unceasingly.” (pg 79) In this kingdom wealth is inexistent, everyone is equal and has exactly what they need. Candide and Cacambo spent a month in this paradise, but they were not able to recognize that they were actually happy and had everything they needed. This mentality exemplifies the typical occidental man who puts wealth above everything. This term did not exist in El Dorado all of its inhabitants were logically happy with what they had. However as humble and innocent as Candide could be he still desired wealth. On a long-term prediction he could stay there and live happier than anywhere else, but the human greed and selfishness to always want more exceeds logic. Knowing that the people of El Dorado took gold and treasure for granted he planned on taking them and becoming exuberantly rich. Needless to say, he did not predict obstacles in his journey to the top.

Wealth was not the only push factor for Candide out of El Dorado. He insisted on “rescuing” Lady Cunegonde” because he was not able to live without her. He is however blinded by the fact that she chose money over true love. Now, there is another example of the greed and wealth desire I mentioned earlier! If she was a loyal lover and like Candide would do anything for her mate she would have fled with Candide not minding the consequences.

Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old--
This knight so bold--
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be--
This land of Eldorado?"

"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied--
"If you seek for Eldorado!"

This poem, El Dorado by Edgar Allan Poe describes the story of a knight who spends all of his life looking for El Dorado. He each time looses more energy and is more incapable, but he never gives up. In the end of his life he learns that its way is basically through death meaning that it doesn’t exist. Thousand of wealth-hungry humans spent their life in the same way risking it for nothing. This proves that their eagerness for riches overpowered life’s natural path of family and love. Candide was placed in this situation by Voltaire on purpose to mock all the hopeless men who like the poem’s night had a miserable life.

The true intentions of Europeans is not to stay in that complete paradise, but to take advantage of its riches, take them, and show it off to others. He decides to leave in order to accomplish his mission and ironically ends up loosing almost all of his treasures only his way to civilization. He is again weakened by his naïve mind and is tricked by Surinam’s judge and a Dutch captain. He then uses it in proper way by giving it out to miserable humans when finding his companions.