Candide has committed many acts of injustice throughout the novel, including murder. Consequently, he's received his shares of punishments for these crimes. But one punishment he's received strikes me in particular.
In Chapter 16, he hears shrieks as he eats with Cacambo. He thinks that they are shrieks of painn. A little while later, he comes across two women being chased by two monkeys. Yes, real monkeys. (Or are they?) The apes are biting the women's buttocks and legs. Because he assumes the monkeys are hurting them, Candide shots and kills them. He thinks he has done a good deed. Although, afterwards, the women start weeping and mourning and they leave. Furthermore, they leave Candide with questions pertaining to why they are crying. Now Candide is doubting whether the primates were 'with' the women. Maybe the cries were cries of pleasure.
To me, this mental situation Candide now deals with is the 'punishment'. It's more of a passive, mental punishment, rather than a physical punishment. From then on, Candide must wonder whether the act he committed was an act of valor or just plain murder.
Very interesting. It is very common to say that a punishment is something inflicted physically or a hinderment of will. However, I think there is some overvaluation going on. I cannot see how Candide could feel bad about what he did seeing as in the novel he felt little to remorse to this action. I understand you are trying to say he has but put in deep thought towards the righteousness of his deed. I just think this is a situation where you take it as it is.
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