Albert Camus The Plague

Albert Camus ( ) Born in Algeria to a working class colonial family Born in Algeria to a working class colonial family Father was killed in WWI Father was killed in WWI Mother: mute, illiterate, supported family by cleaning houses Mother: mute, illiterate, supported family by cleaning houses Was able to study due to scholarships Was able to study due to scholarships Joined the Communist party in 1934 (left it two years later) Joined the Communist party in 1934 (left it two years later) Established the Theater for the Worker in Algiers Established the Theater for the Worker in Algiers Took part in Resistance in France Took part in Resistance in France Later edited journal Combat Later edited journal Combat Nobel prize in 1957 for: illuminating the problems of the human conscience in our time” Nobel prize in 1957 for: illuminating the problems of the human conscience in our time” Died in a car accident in 1960 Died in a car accident in 1960

Principal works: The Stranger (1942) The Stranger (1942) The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) Caligula (1944) Caligula (1944) The Plague (1947) The Plague (1947) The Fall (1956) The Fall (1956) Exile and the Kingdom (1957) Exile and the Kingdom (1957)

Camus’ Nobel acceptance speech: “The writer’s function is not without its arduous duties. By definition, he cannot serve today those who make history; he must serve those who are subject to it.” “The writer’s function is not without its arduous duties. By definition, he cannot serve today those who make history; he must serve those who are subject to it.”

The Plague extract appeared clandestinely in a collection of Resistance texts in occupied France extract appeared clandestinely in a collection of Resistance texts in occupied France “the novel was initially produced as an underground testimony, as a verbal action of resistance which, as such, is not a simple statement or description of the historical conflict it narrates, but an actual intervention in this conflict” (Felman, 98-99) “the novel was initially produced as an underground testimony, as a verbal action of resistance which, as such, is not a simple statement or description of the historical conflict it narrates, but an actual intervention in this conflict” (Felman, 98-99)

Camus’ concepts of existence and revolt Existence: makes humans different from things –T–T–T–The power within us to be free –P–P–P–Power to understand –A–A–A–Ability to feel passion Things: –C–C–C–Can be pushed by forces around them –A–A–A–Are in bondage to their environment –C–C–C–Cannot understand –A–A–A–Are passionless –T–T–T–They are, they do not exist When we give up liberty, lucidity and passionate involvement with the world, we become a mere thing

Revolt The movement from “thinghood” to full existence The movement from “thinghood” to full existence Phases: Phases: –Rock-like somnolence –A shock or crisis during which the absurdity of the world around us becomes clear and inescapable –Free choice of a reaction or attitude toward this absurdity –The use of our freedom to act (to do something about this absurdity) Think about: Where we see these phases in The Plague? Think about: Where we see these phases in The Plague?

The Plague Opening of the novel: Opening of the novel: –The narrator –The city –the inhabitants the plague as metaphor the plague as metaphor

The characters: –Michel –Dr. Rieux –Tarrou –Grand –Rambert –Cottard –Prefect –Paneloux –Othan