The Plague Literary Analysis

Albert Camus’ gripping novel The Plague is a fascinating story of how man handles the concept of death and how a person's drive can radiate and transform the people around them. After the North African coastal town of Oran is struck by a mass plague, Dr. Rieux, the story's protagonist, makes a life changing choice that is in blatant contrast with society, as well as pure rationalism. Despite knowing that the chances of actually making a difference are rather minuscule, Dr. Rioux commits to sterilizing a city full of mass disease and hopelessness simply out of hope and goodwill. Through his selfless actions, he singlehandedly inspires society's transition from an aesthetic state to an ethical one, while defining himself as an individual.

Rieux quickly takes the initiative and puts his life at risk for something he believes in, curing the sick. The society around him, however, possesses a mentality that is in stark contrast to his. The surrounding population is compartmentalizing their efforts and are reacting to the needs of the suffering individual rather than trying to solve for the needs of the society as a whole. From an existential perspective, the people at this point are living a life devoid of meaning. Dr. Reuix exclaims that “in fact, it comes to this: nobody is capable of really thinking about anyone, even in the worst calamity” (Camus 241). This statements depicts how society as a whole is rather self-centered and oblivious to the dangers around them. Nonetheless, little by little, Rieux's grueling efforts inspire the people of Oran to become aware of the plague that has effectively labeled the general population. Despite the fact that their nascent individual efforts make little immediate difference in the plague itself, it conveys a much greater message. Rieux states “that once the faintest stirring of hope became possible, the dominion of plague was ended” (Camus 259). Even in times of complete hopelessness, in Camus’ eyes, it is always best to fight the good fight. From a broader scope, Dr. Rieux is a symbol for the way Camus thinks that we should live, where societies behavior illustrates that people are

Rieux’s efforts to confront the plague and ultimately change societal behavior, this novel demonstrates how the fundamental nature of man always reverts to its basic state. After the plague is eradicated, which required the efforts of many different people, society returns to the same structure it had prior to the plague. This idea is a clear example of so many instances that take place in the world around us. Naturally, people are willing to forget something so grand and devastating simply to conform to the society they were once surrounded by. From a wider lense, this often makes no sense; however, time after time, the nature of man often trumps what seems logical as depicted in this