The Plague 2
The Plague by Albert Camus won the author a Nobel Prize for literature, and with good reason. The story, about an outbreak of the bubonic plague in Oran and the isolation Oran is forced into as a result, examines the human condition under a unique light. Rieux, the narrator, shows professionalism and character when dealing with the disease. He understands his job as not only a doctor, but also a human being. He struggles with which should come first. Many of the characters struggle with their own selves as well. Camus allows the reader inside the minds of these characters to witness these struggles first-hand. These characters have many different philosophies in dealing with the indifference. While Rieux demonstrates modest humanism, others use religion, fatalism and liberalism to confront their struggles. In order to understand Rieux's humanism one must define humanism. It is a mode of thought that the human is in priority. The human cannot be forgotten or disgraced. The humanist cares for people and shows compassion and understanding. Rieux demonstrates this perfectly when talking with Rambert. Rambert wants to leave the town. Rieux, being the professional, denies him a pass. However, the humanist
This novel can be viewed three ways. The novel can be viewed as an allegory to the Nazi occupation of France during W.W. II. The novel can be symbolic in general, with the objects of the symbols not specific events or items but general, dealing with humanity. But most importantly, the novel deals with the fight against indifference. The Plague presents a perfect situation in which all human beings can unite to fight the inhuman. Camus uses his characters extremely well to convey the human reaction to a catastrophe. This novel makes people view their own lives and how they would react in a similar situation. It makes one ponder if there is an event that can alter the lives of so many people so fast. After reading the novel one might ask, "Is there something out there that could send people to their ultimate limit "death"?" The view expressed by each character greatly demonstrates the effects of the plague and the reality of death. It also shows that no matter what the human goes through the self always prevails. Tarrou begins in the story as an outsider. He is not from the town of Oran; he is not on business there: apparently, he is vacationing. When The Plague strikes the town, Tarrou has no outside motivation to help the people of the town. Yet he realizes his responsibility towards others and acts on that responsibility. Tarrou simply hates to see human suffering ignored by the masses. To correct this, Tarrou gathers together his sanitary squads, men who otherwise may not have been so eager to do the jobs they now must face daily. One might assign a heroic quality to Tarrou, that he is larger than life, a great man in a tro
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1109
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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