Voltaire was a colorful figure in Paris in the time just before both France and America began turbulent revolutions for their freedom. Voltaire was a 17th century writer philosopher and supporter of social reform. He spoke openly in defense of civil liberties and freedom of religion. His satires often poked fun at the Catholic Church and other French institutions. Voltaire along with other authors of the Enlightenment period was influential in the American and French Revolutions. Voltaire was a prolific letter writer having written over 21,000 letters. As a young outspoken poet in Paris, Voltaire was often in trouble with the crown. Zadig is the story of a young man. Despite his wisdom and moderation, he meets with a series of misfortunes. He is nearly strangled in Babylon and roasted alive in Basra before being enslaved in Egypt. Only in the end does Providence reveal that these have merely been trials for the good fortune that awaits him on earth.