Homework assignment to turn in this must be entirely

Homework assignment to turn in. This must be entirely your work with no inspiration from any other
source. Do not look this up on the web or elsewhere. To do so is an Honor Code violation .

What is the meaning of “[…] but let us cultivate our garden”? Justify your answer using specific examples. Do
not just use generalities. (250 words)
When Candide said “[…]but let us cultivate our garden”, he was replying to Pangloss who would
sometimes say that their current reality, where Candide, Pangloss, and their entourage of friends are working
on the farm together, is the “best of all possible worlds” and could not have happened if it wasn’t for the specific
events of the story such as how Candide killed the Inquisitor, stabbed the Baron, traveled to America, etc. This
is an example of Leibnitz’s philosophy that both Candide and Panglossed had espoused earlier in the novel, as
it is another example of how despite the many travesties experienced by the duo, their world as they know it is
still the best possible outcome. Candide saying “All that is very well but let us cultivate our garden” shows that
in contrast to earlier in the novel when Candide was very much into the metaphysical, Candide is now much
more disciplined and is concerned with the more mundane and practical details of his existence rather than
looking deeper and examining the nature of the world surrounding him. An example earlier during the novel of
Candide’s enthusiasm for the metaphysical was when Pangloss was discussing his beliefs and Candide was
arrested for listening “with an air of approbation”, resulting in the scene where Candide was publicly flogged.
Another example of Candide’s enthusiasm for the metaphysical was when he would actively try to challenge
Martin and his pessimism, as it contradicted with Candide’s optimism; this can be seen when he wagered that
Paquette,
Brother Giroflee, and Pocourante would be happy with their life rather than sad. As the garden
is all Candide has now in the present, since his diamonds were taken by the Jews, his statement “[…] but
let us cultivate our garden” means that one should focus on their immediate surroundings and what
directly impacts them in the present.