Why did Voltaire choose to use a Middle Eastern or Oriental setting for the story

 Why did Voltaire choose to use a Middle Eastern or Oriental setting for the story of
"Zadig" instead of a European setting
Zadig, or The Book of Fate, is a philosophical novel by Voltaire, a renowned philosopher
and writer of the period of Enlightenment. Zadig is the name of the novel’s protagonist, a
Babylonian philosopher. The Middle Eastern or Oriental setting chosen by the author for his
novel enabled Voltaire to discuss the issues he found important without referring them to the
French or European society of his time. For Europeans of that period, “the Islamic world was…
an utterly different civilization” (Rodinson, 2002, p.8). The stereotypes Europeans readily
embraced were strengthened by the image of the enemy that wanted to destroy the Christian
world. Crusaders created “a comprehensive, integral, entertaining and satisfying image of the
enemy’s ideology” (Rodinson, 2002, p.14). Neither making any attempts to dispel the
stereotypes that dominated the consciousness of his contemporaries nor trying to make his
narration historically accurate, Voltaire pursued a different purpose. He wanted to present the
problems Zadig is confronted with as disguised references to urgent political and social issues of
his time that would be easily recognized by the reading audience. The world that could be
perceived as basically different and even alien by Europeans maintained its own concepts, faith
and beliefs; however, the life of a philosopher (or, probably, people in general) was fraught with
many misfortunes and injustice, which characterized the Western world as well, and caused
painful questions about the unfairness of the human society and its social order.
The protagonist’s name means “destiny”, which not only underscores the fatalistic trends
prominent in the Oriental philosophy and worldview but also enables Voltaire to pose questions
about the vicissitudes of human living, the role of a philosopher in society, and the creed a man
of merit should pursue and remain true to. Zadig, although “endowed by Nature with an
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Sample: History - Oriental Setting in Voltaire's Zadig
1
uncommon Genius”, “immensely rich”, “remarkably handsome” and well-educated (Voltaire,
chapter 1) has to go through a number of misfortunes and perils that put his life at risk. The high
and mighty of the world bring injuries and injustice to good people. The betrayal may come from
nearest and dearest, like Zadig’s bride. However, the philosopher gets his mind enlightened from
his bitter experience and ultimately finds comfort in understanding the inevitable controversies
of the world. Zadig, on various occasions, is confronted with corruption of officials that turns
against him as he is an honest man. He leads the life of a scientist, which results in his
imprisonment. Next, he protects the rights of women in a foreign land, Egypt, and is enslaved for
killing the attacker. An important scene in the novel is Zadig’s confrontation with clerics,
considering that Voltaire was indefatigable in fighting the hypocrisy of the church. The setting of
the novel enabled Voltaire to incorporate some Oriental parables and legends into his novel as
natural components of his narration. These are, for example, the Persian legend of the Three
Princes of Serendip or the image of Angel Jesrad, the Messenger of Heaven who explains some
important truths to Zadig. Jesrad’s key message is that evil is a necessary part of the world
contrasted to the good and only “the everlasting Residence of the supreme Being” is the place
that “no Evil can approach” (Voltaire, chapter XVII).
Voltaire’s narration is rich with both philosophical truth, social criticism, and fantastic
images and all of them perfectly fit into the Oriental setting of the novel.




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References
Rodinson, M. (2002). Europe and the Mystique of Islam. London: I.B. Tauris.
Voltaire (2006). Zadig. Project Gutenberg E-book. Retrieved from
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18972
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