Sex, like many other topics, is subject to Voltaire’s satirical
assault in Candide. Sex is never mentioned positively; rather,
sexual exploitation and violence are pandemic. Voltaire seems to
mock the discrepancy between women’s sexual expectations and
sexual realities. Although he is well aware of repeated
incidents of sexual abuse, the protagonist is startled and
disappointed to discover that the multitude of assaults his love
interest endured have impacted her beauty and innocence. In
Candide, sex is simply a way for men to expression ownership
over women.