The Plague

[Hegemonicretribution]

I know there are quite a few Camus fans from the L'etranger thread.

I was wondering how others found this much longer novel, and how one compared Rieux to Merusault?

It seems to me that Merusault is accepting of absurdity in a more pronounced and (honest?) way, but that Rieux's more humane responce to absurdity is something I feel I can relate with better.

I....well I don't know I am still mulling over what to make of the two central characters and how they compare, it would be good to hear some other's views.

[Monty Cantsin]

I think their different responses to the human condition. Merusault is must more detached and not really engaged past his simple pleasures. I suppose in his way he could is in touch with this emotions or lack of. Rieux is much more engaged in fighting against ‘absurdity’ and thus remained me a littlie of Don Quixote. I think in juxtaposition they could be represented as resignation and revolt respectively.

[Hegemonicretribution]

Originally posted by Monty [email protected] 25 2006, 10:36 PM
I think in juxtaposition they could be represented as resignation and revolt respectively.
Perhaps, but what of the final moments in the prison cell, and the revolt against the priest?

I suppose that Rieux was afforded more oppurtunity in his condition, than that wich Merusault eventually found himself trapped in. Still I would agree that the outsider is far more detatched. Rieux is also detatched, but that is in part because of his awareness and job. With the death of his wife and of Tarrou it is obvious that he is more alone, and I suppose this highlights his revolt.

[7189]

Meursault passively accepts that life is absurd and goes about his own thing unconcerned with trivial matters such as job ambitions, social conformity and the law, for these things, in his mind, are absurd. He is not an anarchist, he is not out to prove a point...this is simply the way he is. He lives by instinct. He does what he enjoys. In many ways, Meursault is the perfect man, Rousseau's great savage, unburdened by the shackles of society.

Rieux is just like Meursault deep at heart: he knows life is absurd. However, his character is more realistic, more human, for he constantly tries to hide this shocking truth from himself by giving meaning to life - by saving people from the disease. Even though he realises eventually that this doesn't work (because the Plague constantly defeats him), he still hangs on to this, unable to accept it, because he is a human and such an idea is just too horrific for him to cope with.

I'd say Meursault is Camus' ideal man, whereas Rieux is Camus' realistic man.

Fascinating topic.

[Bretty123]

I wouldn't say Rieux just tries to hide this shocking truth. I would argue he realizes this truth of absurdity and yet what else can he do but fight against it? I think that is a point Camus tried to make.

Rieux was bound to fight against the absurd plague.

[7189]

The plague is an allegory for life.

I tell you what, watch the Seventh Seal after reading this (or simultaneously if you're a genius) and your head will be buzzing with existentialism!

[Hegemonicretribution]

Rieux deals with issues more, whereas Meursault is an introductory character. Promoting life in face of the absurd will always be an issue, and whilst The Outsider explains that even this is absurd, the Plague tries to emphasis the importance of the rebellion against the absurd and the aburdity of death.

Rieux is a tutor and mentor, as well as believable as a humane character. Through him others learn of absurdity, and yet he influences others to join him in his rebellion, whilst keeping his fight private in a way. I find it hard to explain Camus' fiction, if it could be sumarisd easily then perhaps it would have been, as it is the best way to get to grasps with the issues is to engage with his fiction.