Blame game

In times of dire disappointment and apparent helplessness, people find comfort in placing the blame on something else. Blame the government; blame the earth blame everything except yourself, in the plague ridden city of Oran, the blame was placed on the bearer of bad news, which happened to be one of the people who was doing the most to help, Dr. Rieux. Dr. Rieux had to become numb to the disease in order for him to keep his emotions in check and help people with a clear head. Thinking rationally, in cases like these, could save many lives, but unfortunately, the people of Oran did not see his reaction in this manner. They saw his suppression of emotion as a sign of indifference, like a robot with no emotions. His discussion with Rambart clearly depicts how the people see the doctor and how they feel towards his plan of action. They disagree. Ramabart tells him that he uses words of reason and not from the heart, when he is told that he can not leave in case of possible contamination of others outside of the city. After Ramabart adds that he is just thinking about the society as a whole’s needs, not those of an individual, like him. This thought is also felt through the people trying to see their infected families, they want to see them but due to the safety of others that are not contaminated in the city, if in quarantine those infected should not come in contact with others from the outside world.