The Plague is a novel by Albert Camus that was written in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. Through close analysis of its formal qualities it is evident that the text can be read in three different ways. Literally, as a narrative of a pestilence, as a historic allegory of German occupation of France during World War II, and finally, as a presentation of a metaphysical problem, evil. However, this essay will discuss the literal and allegorical readings of the novel.
The Plague can be read as an allegory for Nazi occupation of France and the death and trauma that it caused. During the war, France fell victim to Nazi attack due to not reacting conscientiously to the first signs of attack and assuming that that its army was big …show more content…
The novel begins with the appearance of dead rats in Oran. After reaching record highs, the number of dead rats in the town reduces which, simultaneously begins the appearance of infections of bubonic plague in the citizens. To combat the effects of the plague, the town is placed under quarantine and health teams are set up. The rats that bring the plague and the sentries that keep the people within the town’s boundaries represent the Nazi army that attacked France. Those who are infected by the plague represent Jews, anti-fascists and other dissidents who were marginalised and killed by the Nazi. The sealed gates around Oran represent the borders that were created to control Jewish access to certain territories. Finally, the uninfected citizens of Oran symbolise the different positions that were taken by French individuals. Some were collaborators with the Nazi army ,this represented in the novel by Cottard, who is introduced after having tried to commit suicide. Cottard asks “to be left in peace” (28) echoing the phrase “rest in peace” said at funerals which reflects his feelings of “guilt and hopelessness” brought upon by his paranoia of getting arrested for a crime which he committed. However, when Oran is placed under quarantine, he is overjoyed as this means that the fear and anxiety which he feels is shared by the town. Cottard “Has lived in terror, he considers it normal that others should experience it in their turn. Or, more precisely, terror seems to him a less heavy burden than if he were all alone” (154). In addition, it means that he will not be arrested for his crime as authorities will not have the time to investigate it due to their preoccupation with trying to fight the plague. Consequently, Cottard thrives in the time of the plague, finding solace in the suffering that the citizens of Oran now share
The Plague can be read as an allegory for Nazi occupation of France and the death and trauma that it caused. During the war, France fell victim to Nazi attack due to not reacting conscientiously to the first signs of attack and assuming that that its army was big …show more content…
The novel begins with the appearance of dead rats in Oran. After reaching record highs, the number of dead rats in the town reduces which, simultaneously begins the appearance of infections of bubonic plague in the citizens. To combat the effects of the plague, the town is placed under quarantine and health teams are set up. The rats that bring the plague and the sentries that keep the people within the town’s boundaries represent the Nazi army that attacked France. Those who are infected by the plague represent Jews, anti-fascists and other dissidents who were marginalised and killed by the Nazi. The sealed gates around Oran represent the borders that were created to control Jewish access to certain territories. Finally, the uninfected citizens of Oran symbolise the different positions that were taken by French individuals. Some were collaborators with the Nazi army ,this represented in the novel by Cottard, who is introduced after having tried to commit suicide. Cottard asks “to be left in peace” (28) echoing the phrase “rest in peace” said at funerals which reflects his feelings of “guilt and hopelessness” brought upon by his paranoia of getting arrested for a crime which he committed. However, when Oran is placed under quarantine, he is overjoyed as this means that the fear and anxiety which he feels is shared by the town. Cottard “Has lived in terror, he considers it normal that others should experience it in their turn. Or, more precisely, terror seems to him a less heavy burden than if he were all alone” (154). In addition, it means that he will not be arrested for his crime as authorities will not have the time to investigate it due to their preoccupation with trying to fight the plague. Consequently, Cottard thrives in the time of the plague, finding solace in the suffering that the citizens of Oran now share