Candide Chapter 23 Summary

  • Candide and Martin discuss the relative horrors of France and Britain while aboard a ship on the way to England. Martin can’t decide which country is worse.
  • While docked temporarily in Portsmouth, England, Candide and Martin observe the execution of an admiral. They inquire as to why the man is being executed and discover that he didn’t win enough battles. They are making an example of him.
  • Disgusted yet again with the horrors of the world, Candide gets the captain to sail for Venice directly.