What is the message of the Plague by Albert Camus?

The most meaningful action within the context of Camus’ philosophy is to choose to fight death and suffering. In the early days of the epidemic, the citizens of Oran are indifferent to one another’s suffering because each person is selfishly convinced that his or her pain is unique compared to “common” suffering.

Did Camus experience a plague?

Camus used as source material the cholera epidemic that killed a large proportion of Oran’s population in 1849, but situated the novel in the 1940s….The Plague.

What conclusions does Camus draw about life and human suffering through the plague?

The plague has drawn him to the conclusion that there is more to praise than despise in humans. He acknowledges that the bacillus microbe can lie dormant for years, and he notes that for that reason the chronicle does not record a final victory by any means.

Why did Camus write the plague?

Camus was drawn to his theme because, in his philosophy, we are all – unbeknownst to us – already living through a plague: that is a widespread, silent, invisible disease that may kill any of us at any time and destroy the lives we assumed were solid.

When was the book The Plague by Albert Camus published?

This article is about the novel by Albert Camus. For other uses, see Plague (disambiguation). The Plague (French: La Peste) is a novel by Albert Camus, published in 1947, that tells the story of a plague sweeping the French Algerian city of Oran. It asks a number of questions relating to the nature of destiny and the human condition.

What was the irony of camus’treatment of the plague?

Summary Analysis The central irony in The Plague lies in Camus’ treatment of “freedom.” The citizens of Oran become prisoners of the plague when their city falls under total quarantine, but it is questionable whether they were really “free” before the plague.

What did Albert Camus teach us about epidemics?

Camus shows how easy it is to mistake an epidemic for an annoyance. But then Michel falls sick and dies. As Rieux treats him, he recognizes the telltale signs of plague, but at first persuades himself that, “The public mustn’t be alarmed, that wouldn’t do at all.”

How does Camus believe in the value of optimism?

In this way, The Plague is infused with Camus’ belief in the value of optimism in times of hopelessness. Everyone who chooses to fight the plague, to rebel against death, knows that their efforts increase their chances of contracting the plague, but they also realize they could contract the plague if they did nothing at all.