Question

Which part of this excerpt from Voltaire’s Candide best develops the theme that different people find value in different things? The mountains which surround my kingdom are ten thousand feet high, and as steep as walls; they are each over ten leagues in breadth, and there is no other way to descend them than by precipices. However, since you absolutely wish to depart, I shall give orders to my engineers to construct a machine that will convey you very safely. When we have conducted you over the mountains no one can accompany you further, for my subjects have made a vow never to quit the kingdom, and they are too wise to break it. Ask me besides anything that you please." "We desire nothing of your Majesty," says Candide, "but a few sheep laden with provisions, pebbles, and the earth of this country." The King laughed. "I cannot conceive," said he, "what pleasure you Europeans find in our yellow clay, but take as much as you like, and great good may it do you." At once he gave directions that his engineers should construct a machine to hoist up these two extraordinary men out of the kingdom. Three thousand good mathematicians went to work; it was ready in fifteen days, and did not cost more than twenty million sterling in the specie of that country. They placed Candide and Cacambo on the machine. There were two great red sheep saddled and bridled to ride upon as soon as they were beyond the mountains, twenty pack-sheep laden with provisions, thirty with presents of the curiosities of the country, and fifty with gold, diamonds, and precious stones. The King embraced the two wanderers very tenderly.

Answer 1

Answer:

Excerpt from Voltaire's Candide

Theme: Different people find value in different things.

The theme above is best developed by the request of Earth made by Candide and Cacambo.  The king regards this "Earth" as "yellow clay."

Explanation:

It can be inferred from the excerpt that the European visitors know the value of "the earth of the country", which is for them like a productive mother that gives birth to innumerable children.  But for the king and his countrymen, the earth was just mere "yellow clay," sterile and without value.

What one undervalues, another values immensely because there is a gap in their knowledge.  Abundance of some resources fools those who dwell on top  of the resources.  Whereas for those who understand the rarity of the resources, they experience scarcity of it because the demand for the resources would outstrip the supply.  This is paradoxical.