Table of ContentsIntroductionDiscussionWorks CitedIntroductionEvery culture experiences certain historical events that change the way it functions and appears. For much of the world, the World Wars were that historical influence. Many countries have not experienced such sudden population loss, and for many families this means the sudden loss of not one, but many loved ones. Similarly, countries in the Middle East have been plagued by religious wars for centuries; With each emerging religion, or even with different interpretations of religions, the people of this region are forced to assimilate and conform to the laws imposed on them by an ever-changing government. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Culture-altering events do not always come in the form of wars, as the change wrought by video games so radically demonstrates. Lights. Although the Enlightenment period had its violent moments, much of the change occurred in the ideas and ideals of the citizens of Europe and a tumultuous and flourishing America. The reform seen here was philosophical and political. Through the eyes of the characters in Candide, Six Characters in Search of an Author and A Thousand Splendid Suns, the effects of these events on their authors can be interpreted. Many of the effects felt by the authors of these works show how they personally experienced the cultural and historical changes occurring before their eyes. DiscussionIn 1759, Candide was born. The height of the Enlightenment was underway and its effects extended from Europe to the westernmost expansions of the Americas. For François-Marie Arouet, the Enlightenment only strengthened his “daring, spiritual and rebellious” personality (Simon 97). The influence of this revolutionary era can be seen in many aspects of Candide. The first of these is the idea that “all is well.” The concept of a clockwork God swept Christianity, and from this religious alteration was born the idea that God prepared "this best of all possible worlds" for his creations and these creations are now left to their own devices. Throughout the story, the plot is enriched with conflict, slavery, and some of the worst conditions imaginable; however, since they live in the best conditions permitted by God, they are grateful that they are not in a worse situation. Meeting people who are worse off than they are prevents them from sacrilegiously questioning God any more than they do. The Enlightenment also brought the belief that education was a right and something that should be shared, cherished and obtained regardless of the cost. Voltaire held this belief to such an extent that he smuggled his literature for publication in countries where freedom of the press was assured. He believed that teaching should be complete and without censorship. Likewise, in Candide, we see characters formally taught (teaching with censorship from the establishment in which they teach); this formal teaching is modified throughout Candide's life through experience and testing of the philosophical ideals that were taught to him. Even Pangloss, who introduced the idea of ​​the "brave all possible worlds", modifies his belief in this concept once he is freed from the censorship of the Baron's castle. This evolution of what is taught and what is learned demonstrates Voltaire's belief that education is both taught formally and learned by experiencing abusy life. The difference in Candide's education, both formal and informal, is brought about by a change in social class. The class system in the Age of Enlightenment was a constant component, which Arouet opposed. This opposition to change observed during a cultural revolution shows that not all citizens of a culture necessarily adhere to the cultural metamorphosis. In some ways this makes the culture appear more dynamic and adds the effect of subcultures on the landscape population. Voltaire mocks the class system by sending his characters through each of them. From chapter to chapter, Candide and Cunegonde move from wealth to poverty, from conflict to escalating conflict. The unrest of the Enlightenment, including revolutions, political cooperatives, and executions, is evident in every situation experienced by Candide's characters. The story begins with a chicken coop, is riddled with near-executions, and includes a few actual executions. Arouet undoubtedly saw this tumultuous activity in his daily life and incorporated his fear into his works. From 18th century France, the influence of historical events moves to Italy in the early 1900s. Luigi Pirandello, at this time, is in the midst of bombs, gunshots and unimaginable deaths that are inevitable in the Italian theater of the First World War. The Great War took millions from Italy and threatened to lose many more as Italians fought. to prevent the Austro-Hungarians from decimating their country. The scale of the losses changes the culture of a country, and even a continent, leaving behind a broken and dark vision of man. World War I appeared like most wars: one group of people tried to impose their way of thinking on another. Candide's actions are reminiscent of the actions of the characters in Six Characters in Search of an Author. The father and daughter-in-law in particular impose their vision of the play on the producer and the actors, to the point that they begin to fight back. The father shouts uncontrollably “Oh, no! while the daughter-in-law “bursts out laughing” at the acting which they consider intolerable. This theme of intolerance is echoed in the drama of this play and in the European theater of war, particularly in the antagonistic role played by Austria. As the producer orders them to "shut up", Italy's retaliatory attitude is introduced into the play. Pirandello was undoubtedly affected by the loss of so many soldiers across the continent and in his home country. These men, not involved in the initial confrontation between Russia and Austria that sparked this deadly war, are considered innocent in Pirandello's eyes. This is why the most innocent characters in the play, the little boy and the little girl, “don’t really exist.” Like the ghosts of soldiers lost in their families, the children cling to their mother and their memory “helps to maintain her sorrow”. To compound this sorrow, many of Italy's attempts to defend its borders were futile in the face of the powerful army held by the Central Powers. This futility is reflected in the battle the characters must wage to have their story told correctly, if at all. The theme of war continues into the late 20th century in Afghanistan, where religious wars and oppression became daily life for most families. Much of the loss seen in Six Characters in Search of an Author is also experienced by Mariam, a bright-eyed Afghan girl, living in an environment where there seems to be.