Students are likely to be familiar with the overall outline of the European Enlightenment, and particularly with its role in shaping and spreading ideals of liberty, equality and rationality in the United States (the name of Voltaire is also associated apocryphally online with freedom of speech).
Students may also be somewhat acquainted with specific thinkers and writers from the French Enlightenment: Montesquieu and Rousseau especially come to mind.
Because Candide is a satirical novel, it can also be tied into other works of literature of this genre, such as Alexander Pope's Rape of the Lock. There is also no shortage of satirical material in contemporary culture and media.
