Entertainment

In this part of the novel Cottard and Tarrou go to an Opera together. It was mentioned early in the novel, like Lauren said, that Tarrou had an interest in Cottard because of his general acceptance to the plague. We also know that the reason for this general acceptance of the plague is that Cottard was originally a wanted man before the plague and with this quarantine the police have bigger problems than him, so he is more relaxed and doesn't have to worry about the authorities. Cottard proceeded to invite Tarrou to the Opera in order for them to have some down time and relax. It is interesting to see that the people in Oran forget the plague outside and take the Opera as a place to escape and go back to the way things were before. Everyone dresses to impress others and it is even said that the "evening dress was a sure charm against the plague" (200). Ironically the performers are trapped in Oran and though they are trapped they give the people a means to escape. It is interesting to see that even the performers are not immune to the plague because even they have contracted the disease.