In this section of the novel, the audience is introduced to
Dr. Reiux’s asthma patients. These asthma patients serve as an indication of
the sentiments of all the individuals in the town of Oran. The patients, who
once had hope for their town’s conditions, has now lost all aspirations and
this is noted through their practice of counting peas from one pan into another
(an activity created in order to pass time).
This
situation provides a contrast to the main character, Tarrou’s preference of
avoiding wasting time in order to come to a faster answer to the epidemic.
Through the patients, the author: Albert Camus, is demonstrating that Tarrou is
one of the few characters that still believed that measures can be taken to
save the town of Oran.
Albert
Camus also emphasizes the patients counting the peas to demonstrate a reoccurring
theme in the novel: time. Because of the epidemic, all the individuals are
focused on time because it is the only thing that allows them to remain sane.
Through the counting or process of time, individuals are able to consume
themselves in activities that will inevitably make their time with the epidemic
go quicker or lead the time of their death in a healthier manner. The patients
are evidence that individuals are fine with performing the dullest activity if
it means that it will take their mind off of their present situation or escape
from their truth.
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