Part 3: Changes

Part three begins with the narrator taking an opportunity to describe the "excesses of the living, burials of the dead and the plight of parted lovers" (page 167). On the excesses of living the narrator begins by explaining how is has taken away everyone's individuality. Recently the plague has hit harder in areas where previously the people had been spared and this has subsequently caused people who live in large groups to be affected more. These groups of people, such as monks or military personnel have been forced to disperse and live individually in relative isolation. This is a little ironic in my opinion because the narrator makes it a point in the beginning of this part of the novel to say that the plague has individualized the people, but though mentally and emotionally they have been brought closer together they are actually being driven apart physically by the plague. Another impact on the lives of the citizens of Oran is that martial law has been declared the authorities have enforced some new rules to attempt the combat the spread of the plague caused by the strong winds that have been "broadcasting germs" (page 168). Some of these rules include things like a curfew and the narrator makes a point to say that the city is completely deserted after curfew. This is evidence that the fear  of plague has lead people to accept even the most extreme conditions, such as martial law.