The Garden State

When I think of Garden State, I think of the nickname given to the state of New Jersey. However, in the story of Candide, the Garden State for them was the one community Candide and the rest of his pals finally decided to settle down in. As they wandered into yet another community in the story, the lifestyle of working hard on a farm and living a safe, distraction free life attracted Candide and his friends.

The Garden, unlike the many other communities Candide encountered was sort of a "getaway" from reality. Although one might argue that Eldurado was also a "getaway" from society and that it was safe from intruders, the idea of not being allowed to leave restricted them from their freedom. In the garden state, however, Candide and them would be free to do whatever they wished without a government enforcing upon them. Their livelihood would result in the hard work they conduct daily on their farm.