The Plague

A detailed Summary of The Plague

In the mid 1940's, Albert Camus, began to write the novel The Plague. The story has been read over and over again, yet it tells more than it seems to. It tells the story of a town gripped by a deadly disease, and of how the inhabitants thrive to overcome it. Many consider the inhabitants' fight against the plague to be an allegory to the German Occupation of France, however, as critic Albert Maquet says, "to simplify things ...The Plague is an allegorical novel." 1 The true meaning of the story, however, is not an allegory. Albert Camus felt that life was a series of contradictions. He felt that humans sought to explain the world in "human terms," however, Camus says, "the world is thus not explicable." 2 Because of this condition, he referred to human life as "absurd." This absurdity amounts to an emptiness in our lives and makes our very existence meaningless. However, Camus also believed we could find meaning through "purpose action," which means "revolting" against injustices and fighting the "against the plagues that enslave man." 3This belief runs throughout the novel; and the main characters all represent this belief.

Camus could not have created a better setting for the novel.The story takes place in the desert town o

Not only does Rieux, communicate Camus' belief that we must "revolt" against injustices, he also expresses Camus' love and compassion for man. Throughout the novel, Rieux tries to combat the disease, although he knows that it is a "never ending defeat. "16 Though he does not seem himself as a hero, there can be no doubt that Camus conveys some sort of heroism through him. He tells Tarrou that "heroism and sanctity don't really appeal to me... what interests me is being a man" 17 . He gains our respect for his tireless, unselfish efforts to help others he fights the plague, as a physician. He tells Tarrou "there are sick people...[and] I defend them best I can." 18 Rieux is hero because he helps his fellow man at risk of becoming ill himself, but he is also a hero because, as critic James Woelfel says, "...actively struggling against the injustices of the human condition."19 Rieux will never quit trying to help, though he knows that the "plague bacillus never dies and that the day would come when 'it would raise up its rats again."20 Rieux reflects Camus' compassion for man, and his belief that man is inherently good.

Camus "stressed that The Plague was to be a more positive book than The Stranger."21 And, though the novel centers on a gruesome plague, it also tells the tale "of a final victory. " 22The characters fight against the 'absurd' and by doing so gain our admiration.

Helping out the fellow man is also important to Tarrou. Of all the characters in The Plague, Tarrou most conveys Camus' ideals and beliefs that we must "revolt" against injustice. When the plague first strikes the town, it appears that Tarrou is not motivated to help the people of the town. However, this is not true. Tarrou not only works to end the suffering that exists, he also strives not to cause any; Tarrou simply hates to see human suffering. He tells Rieux that "...we can't stir a finger in this world without the risk of bringing death to somebody." Camus through Tarrou conveys his belief that man must do good to bring out that "innate goodness" within him. Tarrou explains, "All I

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Approximate Word count = 1407
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels