Opinions of the Narrator

In this section, the author finally gives insight into the narrator and his opinions beginning with the narrator’s thoughts on the newly introduced characters: the sanitary groups. In the onset of the section, the author addresses that “it is not the narrator’s intention to ascribe to these sanitary groups more importance than they’re due” (121). This excerpt sheds light on the fact that the narrator is a simple-minded man. He believes that significance should only be given to those who truly embody the word service such as Tarrou and the soon to be discovered, Grand. Furthermore, the author acknowledges the narrator’s judgmental attitude and behavior when he states, “the narrator is inclined to think that by attributing over importance to praiseworthy actions, one may, by implication, be paying indirect but potent to the worse side of human nature” (120). This insightful commentary provides the audience with a lead into the preferences of the narrator and his beliefs that will be further addressed in the novel. The author’s comments on the narrator allow the audience to see that the narrator might provide a bias account when he tells the story. When the narrator is discussing the issue of the madness of the townspeople of Oran he mentions that the narrator finds their ignorance laughable and newfound service senseless. Nevertheless, his viewpoints are also helpful because they demonstrate a real persons perspective on the occurrences of the town of Oran. Also, the narrator provides the audience with a mysterious character in the novel- they want to know who is the man behind the words.