Comic Relief

In this section of the novel a new unique character is introduced: Jean Tarrou. He records that he is “paradoxically satisfy[ied] at the discovery of a town so intrinsically ugly” – a testament to his ironic sense of humor. He is an interesting character who “in those chaotic times […] set himself recording the history of what the normal historian passes over” (24) – he records the insignificancies in a time of turmoil. I found this character quite humorous for his sharp observational skills (especially given the situation of the town he is in) pick up on details most people would have missed. For example, he is fascinated with a family who eats at the hotel; describing the father in detail, then summarizing him to look like “a well-brought-up owl”, the mother like a “black mouse” and the children like “two poodles” (28). He is “quite fascinated by the commercial character of the town”(26), and he warmly approves of this “idiosyncrasy” (26); his opinion of the town is paradoxical and ironically positive, for he approves of a character that the narrator previously implied to be a fault of the town. I believe that this character is introduced for the purpose – aside from allowing the narrator to site his extensive observations relating to the doctor or the disease- of comic relief. His detailed commentaries and opinions on the insignificancies of the town serve as humorous breaks from the tragedy and suffering of the townspeople.