Douglass and Voltaire on Why is It Important to Know Your Purpose in Life

Introduction

Douglass and Voltaire shared a common goal for humanity that resonated throughout their works. In both narratives, their characters faced arduous trials. Douglass, born into slavery, aimed to shed light on the grave injustices of enslavement. Conversely, Voltaire's objective was to encourage individuals to embrace their whole selves, acknowledging both the positives and negatives of their existence. Amidst their differences, both authors emphasized why is it important to know your purpose in life. While their overarching goals aligned, the approaches they undertook to achieve them diverged significantly.

Frederick Douglass: Overcoming Adversity for Life Purpose

Frederick Douglass's goal for humanity was that he wanted everybody to know what he went through as a slave and how he overcame every obstacle in his way. Fredrick Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland between the years 1817 or 1818 to Harriet Bailey. Douglass would soon escape slavery and become an abolitionist he spent most of his year as a house servant in Baltimore. He was taught how to read and write by one of his master’s wife. Douglass used his knowledge to plan his escape in the future but before he would get to escape, he had to think of a master plan before escaping.

Throughout his time as a slave, Douglass was considered a troubled slave who did not want to obey his master's commands. Douglass would be soon sent to Edward Covey man who was known for breaking trouble slaves. Being sent to Covey did break Douglass for a while but that was a temporary act. Being at Covey’s plantation was where Douglass learned to stick up for himself. Douglass meet sandy during his time on Covey’s plantation. Sandy told Douglass that he should follow him to “where there was a certain root, which, if I would take some of it with me, carrying it always on my right side, would render it impossible for Mr. Covey, or any other white man, to whip me” ( Douglass p 41-42) Douglass gaining the advice that sandy gave him help him overpower Covey and learn that he had the strength to take on anybody that threaten him. Douglass knew that he wanted to escape so he asked a couple of men he was familiar with did they want in on the escape.

While assembling his crew to plan to escape Douglass was the only slave in the group that knew how to read and write. He would come up with the plan that he would write everybody a note so while they were on the run other slave owners would not be Suspicious. Before the day they could escapes on of the men betrayed them by telling the master what was going on. Douglass knew who told the master “I turned to Sandy, who was nearby, and said, “We are betrayed!” “Well,” said he, “that thought has this moment struck me.” We said no more. I was never more certain of anything.” (Douglass p 52) Douglass felt defeated because Sandy helped him avoid beatings from Covey how could Sandy do these things to him.

However, that did not stop Douglass from achieving his goal He still became a free man in the end. Another person that would not stop at anything to achieve their goals was Voltaire character Candide. Candide was in love and would stop at nothing to be able to see his love again. The determination between these two characters was so strong that nothing could stop them. They had goals that they wanted to complete and if they would have to be killed in the process of achieving these goals that then so be it nothing could stand in their way.

Voltaire's Candide for Life Purpose

Voltaire's plans for humanity were not the same in the beginning as they were at the end. In “Candide” written by Voltaire the main character Candide can be considered a lost soul on his journey. He is accompanied by two philosophers name Martin and Pangloss; these two men have different approaches to how things work in life. Martin is the type of person that sees the bad in how things go. While Pangloss is the type that thinks positively and sees the good in every situation.

Pangloss was Candide's righthand in the beginning of his journey whenever Candide had a problem he would turn to Pangloss for the answers. Pangloss would tell Candide “all is for the best” (Voltaire p.77) Pangloss was a very positive no matter what would happen to him or Candide. Then there is Martin who was the opposite of Pangloss; Martin knew that things that glitter are always not gold. Martin knew that things was not always as great as it seen “in the affairs of this world that it is very probable he may be in me as well as everywhere else; but I must confess, when I cast my eye on this globe, or rather globule, I cannot help thinking that God has abandoned it to some malignant being (Volatire p.52) he understood that God could do things to people that would drag them through hell and back before things could get better.

Conclusion

Voltaire and Douglass both had similar goals for humanity. These two-man wanted to bring awareness to situations that affected them personally. Voltaire character Candide had to learn that everything and everybody that he came in contact with was not always genuine. Douglass knew that a black man in slavery would be punished if he could read and write. Both authors wanted people to work their self’s before they could help anybody else. Whenever it was Douglass educating and sticking up for his self and Candide learning that it is two sides to every situation. Douglass and Voltaire had to let people know that whatever they are going through trust the process and let things work in your favor.  

References

1. Smith, Adam. 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments.' 1759.