Enlightenment From Conflict
The plague, though not unfamiliar to most in a historical sense, is brought about in a much more personal light in Albert Camus' The Plague. Through narration by Dr. Rieux, we watch the personal growth of a character trapped in a town where reality has been sacrificed for survival. But because of his self-sacrifice, determination, dedication to his patients and to all citizens in the town, and through the shared experiences of his friends, we see that Rieux has become a stronger, more understanding, and compassionate man. Throughout this novel, we watch Rieux continuously care for the sick and struggle to stay strong for those who look to him for help and comfort. He is in many ways the anchor of the novel, a center point, not only because of his position as the narrator, but because of his continued support of all the other characters. Toward the end of this epidemic, though, we see Rieux start to question what has come of his efforts while he has survived and so many have not. Looking at his efforts to fight off the plague as a personal, as well as internal, "conflict", he states that perhaps what he has won is "the experience of having known the plague and remembering it, of having known friendship and remembering it, of
The first such interaction is during a short escape from the world as the two men sit on a terrace and "take an hour off- for friendship" (245). was innocent", he states in a slow realization that he too is, in ways more than physical, victim to the plague (218). We find there is more to Tarrou and Rieux's relationship in very few instances, but when we see these instances, it is obvious that they are quite important. While it may not be obvious at first that this is in fact a benefit, Father Paneloux's experience with the death of a young boy, as drastic as it was, created a more educated member of the church. The first prize Rieux mentions is "having known the plague and remembering it" (291). This growth is evidence that knowing the plague is more than knowing death and destruction, it is also remembering what benefits seeped through the cracks of that destruction and recognizing that it is all worth remembering, the good and the bad. This is a more abstract statement, but one that ties all benefits together. Next, in his survey of what could be won from his conflict, Rieux mentions, "having known friendship and remembering it" (291). We see a personal connection between the two that is not shown between any other two characters, and it is this personal support system that is revealed that keeps the two men going. Rieux is able to take all of these experiences and see them for what they are, an enlightenment. We see throughout the book that Rambert is focused on escaping the town to return to a loved one. There are relationships big and small in this novel that all contribute to the outcome and growth of Rieux.
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Acceptance Essays
