First 500 Words

           Throughout the novel the reactions of the citizens to the onslaught of the plague are documented. Rieux, Rambert, Grand, and Tarrou are all characters that risk their lives daily to help those affected by the plague. Throughout the novel courage in the face of adversity of an underlying theme

            One of the characters that display courage in the face of hardship is Rieux. He works every day, all day, in the plague hospitals trying to fight the increasingly fatal epidemic. If not informed by the narrator, the reader would never know there was an underlying hardship in Rieux’s life. He commits himself so whole-heartedly to the job it appears as if it is the only thing in his life. His work appears to consume him entirely as he fights to save lives. However, this is a misconception created by his courage and work ethic in response to the epidemic. He has a sick wife in quarantine outside of the town. He is subject to the same sense of isolation and separation that the rest of the town feels. This is a feeling that drives many of the citizens, as seen with Rambert initially, into listless hopelessness. This despair felt by the citizens of the town who had been separated from a loved one is felt to acutely by the majority of the population that it is describes for about one hundred pages of the novel. This feeling is what dictates many peoples behavior throughout this time. This feeling leads to the increase in business in bars and restaurants during this time of plague; these isolated individuals flock to these places in an attempt to find some escape from their sense of loss. They think that if they go to highly populated areas they will feel as sense of community somehow, that their feeling of wholeness will be restored. Dr. Rieux, throughout the novel, suffers from this same sentiment that drives the majority of the town into desolation. However, Rieux doesn’t let it affect. He maintains complete control and focus over himself. Even when he has reason to believe his wife’s situation has worsened – through her increasingly friendly and optimistic telegraphs constructed to put him at ease – he never stops his battle against his faceless opponent.

            “Grand was the true embodiment of the quiet courage that inspired the sanitary groups. He had said yes without a moment’s hesitation and with the large-heartedness that was second nature to him” (135).  Like Rieux, Grand is another character in this novel that exhibits courage in the face of the adversity provided by the plague. Joseph Grand is an elderly gentleman that has been stuck in the same temporary position at the post office for twenty-two years. He is complacent – not a man of action, never speaking up in regards to his boss’ exploitation of him. “All he desired was the prospect of a life suitably insured on the material side by honest work, enabling him to devote his leisure to his hobbies” (44).