Great Books/Reading The Plague

La Peste book cover

The Plague by Albert Camus is a novel set in the Algerian city of Oran during the 1940s, where an outbreak of bubonic plague forces the city into quarantine. The novel explores themes of human suffering, solidarity, and the absurd through the experiences of the city’s inhabitants as they struggle to cope with the epidemic.

The story begins with the sudden and inexplicable death of rats in Oran. Dr. Bernard Rieux, a local physician, is one of the first to recognize the signs of a potential plague outbreak. As the disease spreads and the death toll rises, the city authorities are forced to take drastic measures, including closing the city off from the outside world.

Dr. Rieux becomes the central figure in the fight against the plague. He works tirelessly to treat the sick and to organize efforts to combat the spread of the disease. Through his eyes, the reader witnesses the varying reactions of the townspeople to the crisis: some succumb to fear and despair, while others rise to the occasion with acts of courage and selflessness.

Key characters include:

• Raymond Rambert, a journalist trapped in Oran who initially tries to escape to reunite with his wife but ultimately decides to stay and help combat the plague.
• Father Paneloux, a Jesuit priest who delivers sermons interpreting the plague as divine punishment but later experiences a crisis of faith.
• Jean Tarrou, a visitor to Oran who becomes a close friend of Dr. Rieux and organizes volunteer sanitary teams to fight the plague.
• Joseph Grand, a low-level civil servant and aspiring writer who assists Rieux and embodies the quiet heroism of ordinary people.

As the plague ravages the city, the characters undergo profound personal transformations. They confront the absurdity of their situation—the random, senseless suffering inflicted by the disease—and find meaning in their collective struggle against it. The novel delves deeply into existentialist themes, questioning the nature of suffering and the human condition.

The turning point comes when a serum is developed that helps to stem the tide of the epidemic. Gradually, the number of deaths decreases, and the city begins to recover. However, the experience leaves a lasting impact on the survivors. Dr. Rieux, who has kept a clinical detachment throughout the ordeal, reveals himself as the narrator of the story and reflects on the lessons learned from the plague: the importance of resisting suffering and death, even when the fight seems futile.

In the end, "The Plague" is a powerful allegory about human resilience and solidarity in the face of incomprehensible adversity. It is a meditation on the absurdity of life and the capacity for collective action to bring about meaning and hope in times of crisis.

Assignment

Obtain a copy of the book. It not yet available in Wikisource, and is available from several libraries listed in Worldcat.

Read the book. Study the book.

Write an essay on one of the following topics:

In a Great Books University curriculum, discussion questions for Albert Camus's "The Plague" would likely focus on its existential themes, character development, and philosophical inquiries. Here are some examples of discussion questions that might be assigned:

1. Themes of Absurdity and Existentialism:
   • How does "The Plague" illustrate Camus’s philosophy of the absurd?
   • In what ways do the characters confront the absurdity of their situation? How do their responses differ?
2. Human Solidarity and Collective Action:
   • Discuss the theme of solidarity in the novel. How do the characters' actions reflect the importance of collective effort in combating the plague?
   • What does the novel suggest about the role of community in the face of crisis?
3. Moral and Ethical Questions:
   • What ethical dilemmas do the characters face during the plague? How do they resolve them?
   • How does the novel explore the concept of moral duty and individual responsibility in times of widespread suffering?
4. Character Analysis:
   • Analyze the character of Dr. Bernard Rieux. How does he embody Camus's ideas about resistance and resilience?
   • Discuss the transformation of Raymond Rambert from someone focused on personal escape to someone who decides to help fight the plague. What does this say about his character?
5. Role of Religion and Faith:
   • Examine the character of Father Paneloux and his changing views on the plague. How does his interpretation of the plague as divine punishment evolve throughout the novel?
   • What is Camus's critique of religious explanations for human suffering?
6. The Plague as Allegory:
   • How can "The Plague" be read as an allegory for the Nazi occupation of France during World War II? What parallels can be drawn between the events in the novel and historical events?
   • What other interpretations can be made of the plague as a symbol?
7. Isolation and Exile:
   • How does the quarantine of Oran serve as a metaphor for human isolation and exile?
   • In what ways do the characters experience physical and emotional isolation, and how do they cope with it?
8. Philosophical Reflections:
   • How does "The Plague" engage with existential questions about the meaning of life and death?
   • What insights does the novel offer about the human condition and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe?
9. Narrative Style and Structure:
   • Discuss the narrative style of "The Plague." How does Camus’s use of a detached, almost clinical tone affect the reader's perception of the events?
   • How does the revelation of Dr. Rieux as the narrator impact the overall narrative?
10. Impact of the Plague on Society:
    • How does the plague affect the social and economic structures of Oran? What changes occur in the community as a result?
    • In what ways do the characters’ relationships and priorities shift due to the outbreak?
11. Comparative Analysis:
    • Compare and contrast "The Plague" with other works by Camus, such as "The Stranger" or "The Myth of Sisyphus." What recurring themes and philosophical questions can be identified?
    • How does "The Plague" compare with other literary works that deal with epidemics or crises, such as Boccaccio’s "The Decameron" or Defoe’s "A Journal of the Plague Year"?

These questions encourage students to delve deeply into the text, examining its philosophical, ethical, and social dimensions while considering its broader historical and literary context.