The Schoolmaster in Albert Camus's The Guest

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In Albert Camus's "The Guest," an idealistic schoolmaster, Daru, is forced to make many unsettling decisions when ordered to deliver an Arab prisoner to higher authorities in Tinguit. From the beginning, after the prisoner is transferred into his custody, Daru chooses to treat him as a guest rather than a prisoner. Also, Daru decides not to cast judgment on the Arab for the crime of killing his cousin. Lastly, Daru chooses not to play God and assume the awesome responsibility of deciding another man's fate. Thus, when Daru is faced with a series of confusing and complicated situations he chooses to be himself and make his own decisions rather than be influenced by others. The mere thought of keeping a prisoner in one's home is quite troubling, but when Daru is forced to keep the Arab as his "guest," he is compelled to act as a good host. From the beginning, Daru demonstrates compassion, sensitivity, and humanely acts in many different ways. Daru insists that the prisoner should be untied. "Once his hands were free... he held out a glass of tea." Daru also feeds, cooks for, a...

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