The Plague

Albert Camus

Novel

Page 43

• Oran is now blocked – basically, people in Oran cannot get out. They are forced to stay within Oran. No calls are allowed – because people got crowded – and no other deliveries can get in.
• Only Dr.Castel’s wife returns to Oran to stay with his husband. The other people of Oran are jealous because they are not able to see their lovers and talk to them.
• Dr.Rieux = makes a comparison of the Plague situation in Oran with war. He also highlights how after the Plague outbreak, people go from a stage of denial to an emotive state of hopelessness.
• When would the “hero” character come out?

The Plague

Albert Camus

Novel

Page 33

• The narrator – Dr.Rieux – notes the importance of the word “Plague” where he now seems to realize the explicit connections between the Plague and the war.
• Joseph Grand keeps appearing in the book – what does he represent?
• Dr.Rieux started to notice the humanity in Grand. Grand never got past menial work, but he doesn’t harshly complain about it. I think Dr.Rieux is portraying Grand as a character with some heroic potential.

The Plague

Albert Camus

Novel

Page 14

• Rieux = the narrator of the novel.
• Thousands of rats die every day, and more and more people are starting to show symptoms of the Plague.
• What is the significance of Jean Tarrou’s chronicle on the beginning of the Plague epidemic?
• What would be the next steps of the people living in Oran to address the Plague? – or will they ever address it properly? if yes, who would take the initiative? Dr.Rieux or a new character?
• Why is Dr.Rieux so dedicated to cure patients?