In the previous section of the novel (pgs. 20-40) I found the commentary on the real concern of the newspapers ironically insightful. The narrator comments about how “the local press, so lavish of news about the rats, now had nothing to say. For rats dies in the street; men in their homes. And newspapers are concerned only with the street (35). This comment implies that the newspaper reports on what other people can see for themselves but not what is of real importance. This can be seen as an insight into the human condition, reflecting how humans are more drawn to things of interest and public popularity than things of real importance. This [for the most part] universal truth in relation to humans can be seen contemporarily in the overwhelming intrusion of issues of popular interest into previously news medias. For example, CNN, which originally prided itself on its “hard news”, has now become increasingly involved with popular culture. The issue is brought up again in this section of the novel; in stark contrast to the overwhelming press coverage of the dying rats, there is barely anything in the papers in relation to increased death toll of the new disease. However, the media did cover it to a small degree, as “it even founds its way into the papers, but discreetly; only a few brief references to it were made” (51). This ironic tendency of human nature to prefer popularity to importance can clearly be seen illustrated in this section of the novel.
This man, previously described as being reclusive, in this section of the novel becomes far more outgoing. The readers are introduced to him when he first attempts to kill himself before the disease has started infecting humans. Now, however, he seems to have recovered from his “fit”. He now appears to be attempting to make a very public display of himself. As Grand comments, “I don’t quite know how to put it, but I must say I’ve an impression that he is trying to make himself agreeable to all and sundry, to be in everybody’s good books” (53). He has become “amiable” (53) where before he was a “silent, secretive man, with something about him that made Grand think of a wild boar” (53). Cottar is making a point to try and endear himself to everyone; he is even making friends with a woman tobacconist who Grand says is a “holy terror”. Before, whereas he was likely to eat in small cheep restaurants he is now dining in lavish venues and leaving large tips. Aside from this change, he also seems to be acting strangely. When the grocer “had shown less affability, he came home in a tearing rage” (54), and when the woman at the tobacconist’s brought up a murder case he turned around and fled without another word. He asks if someone can be arrested in a hospital, and is cited commenting on how someone would “make a good witness” (54). His behavior is highly indicative of a man with something on his conscience, as Grand believes. However, the doctor simply dismisses it as perhaps his fear of the “fever”. The nearsightedness of the doctor that has been see in pervious sections of the novel is present again here; he fails to comprehend the implications of Cottard’s actions. Cottard in this section of the novel acts highly suspicious- possibly he has committed a serious crime, something serious enough that he would consider getting sick and going to the hospital in order to avoid arrest.
This section of the book Joseph Grand is in charge of keeping track of the number of deaths that occur each day. These numbers are a sort of constant reminder to Dr. Rieux and the other physicians of the town that some sort of action needs to be taken. Due to the obvious plague outbreak Dr. Rieux contacted the authorities and convinced them to convene a health committee at the Prefect's office. This meeting of the town's physicians helps to clarify, why earlier in the story it took so long for Dr. Rieux to accept the idea of a plague outbreak. Dr. Rieux's colleagues all seem to be reluctant to accept the idea of a plague outbreak, because of all the consequences that would result. The Prefect agrees to implement precautionary measures but the way the public is informed about the new regulations, is very subtle. "Small official notices had been just put up about the town, though in places where they would not attract much attention" (51), this disinterest in strictly enforcing the new measures and the prefect's initial refusal to proclaim a state of plague, yet again emphasizes the widespread reluctance to acknowledge the current predicament that Oran is in. It is only when the number of deaths continues to increase, both "special wards" at the hospital are full and an auxiliary hospital is made from a school, that the Prefect finally decides to proclaim a state of plague.
Cottard, and Grand both reappear in this section of the book, further developing their involvement in the main plot. Grand is charged with the task of keeping track of all the deaths that occur in the city, but soon after reporting the numbers, the story reveals a mysterious aspect of Grand's character. He leaves Dr. Rieux and Cottard to go do some "important activity". Grand always has trouble finding "the right words" to communicate with people, yet he isolates himself to complete this "important activity". He is obviously going about solving his problem the wrong way. Cottard has also been acting strange in this part of the novel. Though previously he was a "silent secretive man"(53) he is now attempting to be friends with everyone. Where normally he would go to cheap restaurants, he now dines at more lavish restaurants and leaves large tips for everyone to remember him. I find it strange how he refers to people that he is befriending as good "witnesses", this seems to have some relation with what seems to me as a fear of being arrested. Not only is it strange that Cottard has had this drastic shift in personality to try to get everyone to like him, and is frustrated with those who are not friendly with him, his conversation with Dr. Rieux reveals more suspicious behavior. His actions indicate something is not right, and Cottard most likely has some problems with the authorities.
ReplyDeleteThe Papers
In the previous section of the novel (pgs. 20-40) I found the commentary on the real concern of the newspapers ironically insightful. The narrator comments about how “the local press, so lavish of news about the rats, now had nothing to say. For rats dies in the street; men in their homes. And newspapers are concerned only with the street (35). This comment implies that the newspaper reports on what other people can see for themselves but not what is of real importance. This can be seen as an insight into the human condition, reflecting how humans are more drawn to things of interest and public popularity than things of real importance. This [for the most part] universal truth in relation to humans can be seen contemporarily in the overwhelming intrusion of issues of popular interest into previously news medias. For example, CNN, which originally prided itself on its “hard news”, has now become increasingly involved with popular culture. The issue is brought up again in this section of the novel; in stark contrast to the overwhelming press coverage of the dying rats, there is barely anything in the papers in relation to increased death toll of the new disease. However, the media did cover it to a small degree, as “it even founds its way into the papers, but discreetly; only a few brief references to it were made” (51). This ironic tendency of human nature to prefer popularity to importance can clearly be seen illustrated in this section of the novel.
On Cottard
ReplyDeleteThis man, previously described as being reclusive, in this section of the novel becomes far more outgoing. The readers are introduced to him when he first attempts to kill himself before the disease has started infecting humans. Now, however, he seems to have recovered from his “fit”. He now appears to be attempting to make a very public display of himself. As Grand comments, “I don’t quite know how to put it, but I must say I’ve an impression that he is trying to make himself agreeable to all and sundry, to be in everybody’s good books” (53). He has become “amiable” (53) where before he was a “silent, secretive man, with something about him that made Grand think of a wild boar” (53). Cottar is making a point to try and endear himself to everyone; he is even making friends with a woman tobacconist who Grand says is a “holy terror”. Before, whereas he was likely to eat in small cheep restaurants he is now dining in lavish venues and leaving large tips. Aside from this change, he also seems to be acting strangely. When the grocer “had shown less affability, he came home in a tearing rage” (54), and when the woman at the tobacconist’s brought up a murder case he turned around and fled without another word. He asks if someone can be arrested in a hospital, and is cited commenting on how someone would “make a good witness” (54). His behavior is highly indicative of a man with something on his conscience, as Grand believes. However, the doctor simply dismisses it as perhaps his fear of the “fever”. The nearsightedness of the doctor that has been see in pervious sections of the novel is present again here; he fails to comprehend the implications of Cottard’s actions. Cottard in this section of the novel acts highly suspicious- possibly he has committed a serious crime, something serious enough that he would consider getting sick and going to the hospital in order to avoid arrest.
This section of the book Joseph Grand is in charge of keeping track of the number of deaths that occur each day. These numbers are a sort of constant reminder to Dr. Rieux and the other physicians of the town that some sort of action needs to be taken. Due to the obvious plague outbreak Dr. Rieux contacted the authorities and convinced them to convene a health committee at the Prefect's office. This meeting of the town's physicians helps to clarify, why earlier in the story it took so long for Dr. Rieux to accept the idea of a plague outbreak. Dr. Rieux's colleagues all seem to be reluctant to accept the idea of a plague outbreak, because of all the consequences that would result. The Prefect agrees to implement precautionary measures but the way the public is informed about the new regulations, is very subtle. "Small official notices had been just put up about the town, though in places where they would not attract much attention" (51), this disinterest in strictly enforcing the new measures and the prefect's initial refusal to proclaim a state of plague, yet again emphasizes the widespread reluctance to acknowledge the current predicament that Oran is in. It is only when the number of deaths continues to increase, both "special wards" at the hospital are full and an auxiliary hospital is made from a school, that the Prefect finally decides to proclaim a state of plague.
ReplyDeleteCottard, and Grand both reappear in this section of the book, further developing their involvement in the main plot. Grand is charged with the task of keeping track of all the deaths that occur in the city, but soon after reporting the numbers, the story reveals a mysterious aspect of Grand's character. He leaves Dr. Rieux and Cottard to go do some "important activity". Grand always has trouble finding "the right words" to communicate with people, yet he isolates himself to complete this "important activity". He is obviously going about solving his problem the wrong way. Cottard has also been acting strange in this part of the novel. Though previously he was a "silent secretive man"(53) he is now attempting to be friends with everyone. Where normally he would go to cheap restaurants, he now dines at more lavish restaurants and leaves large tips for everyone to remember him. I find it strange how he refers to people that he is befriending as good "witnesses", this seems to have some relation with what seems to me as a fear of being arrested. Not only is it strange that Cottard has had this drastic shift in personality to try to get everyone to like him, and is frustrated with those who are not friendly with him, his conversation with Dr. Rieux reveals more suspicious behavior. His actions indicate something is not right, and Cottard most likely has some problems with the authorities.
ReplyDelete