The Complexity of a Main Character

In this segment of the novel I was able to gain further insight into Dr. Bernard Rieux’s views and motives. The dialogue Albert Camus creates between Dr. Rieux and characters in the story allows the audience to interpret Reiux’s honorable and analytical persona. This section reveals that Dr. Reiux is growing increasingly anxious about the “fever” that is sweeping his community. Rieux’s continuous calls to the chairman of his town’s Medical Association to advise him of the threatening fever and relentless visits to his patients testify to his unease. Rieux reaches such a high that, “ it was time to put the brakes on and try to get his nerves into some sort of order” (29).

             Dr. Bernard Rieux’s methodical nature is explored in the last few pages of this section when he begins thinking about the affects of the “fever”. He contemplates “what are a hundred million deaths” (35) and slowly comes to terms with his uniform society dying out.  It takes a long time for Dr. Rieux to utter the word “plague”. Nonetheless, quickly after Rieux comes to terms with his expiring society, the audience finds Camus using the words “cruelty” and “pain” (37) to describe Oran. 

            In this portion of the novel, the audience is introduced to a new perspective of life. Viewing Oran through the eyes of Dr. Bernard Rieux, the readers are able to understand his worries and comprehend the severity of this plague.