In our complex world, it's easy to get lost in finding the true meaning of life. There are many obstacles that we must hurdle over in order to find the answer to this million dollar question. Pessimistic people are usually those obstacles that will get thrown onto your path and the only way to surpass them is to be optimistic. In Voltaire's novel, "Candide, main character, Candide was expelled from Westphalia and wanted to reunite with his true love. His journey represented self-discovery and ultimately coming to terms of what life really meant. When he ventured out he realized how much he really needed Cunegonde and that seemed to be his only motivation. The hardships that Candide faced showed the reader a valuable lesson to never let go of hope because it's optimism that carried him through life. Even the pessimistic philosopher Martin, didn't stop Candide from continuing his journey to reach his real treasure who was, Cunegonde. She was his true love and he gave up everything for her because being with her was more important than having all the riches in the world. In the beginning of the novel Candide lived in a castle of His Excellency the baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh. Here he was infused with optimism by a very important character named, Pangloss, who believed that this worlds was the best of all possible worlds. Throughout the novel Pangloss was a representation of optimism in Candide's life. In the castle he wasn't exposed to any danger until he was caught flirting with His Excellency's daughter. His Excellency didn't tolerate it because Candide was in a lower class, so he expelled from the castle. Candide's expulsion symbolized the beginning of his journey outside the castle where he was no longer secure. He went through many hardships and he learned that most evil was manmade because of tyranny. One example was when he wandered to a neighboring town where they took care of him at first but then they force him to join the Bulgar army. He experienced the horrible abuse of the military lifestyle and when he tried to escape it went far worst for him. He was eventually saved by Jacques the Anabaptist, who helped him escape to Holland where he was surprised to see Pangloss as a beggar. Candide asked Pangloss why was he a beggar and he responded, "The Bulgar's killed the baron, his wife, his son, and raped and killed Cunegonde  (8). Candide felt heartbroken and wanted to reunite with his beloved Cunegonde once again. Then Candide, Jacques, and Pa