“Candide, or The Optimist” by Voltaire
Picture taken by Jens Mohr, for Skokloster Castle.
Source : Wikimedia.
In “A Few Acres of Snow” from the north…
It is a reference to a famous quote by Voltaire. It expresses a cartoon-like and derogatory vision of New France as a colony. It appears for instance in the philosophical tale Candide, or The Optimist, released in 1759. This version will blend in the French Canadian culture to become a common place.
For a long time, Abitibi-Témiscamingue has been seen as a similar stereotype.