Term Paper Post 2

A second character that is in essence “liberated” through this physical confinement of quarantine is Cottard. A man who before the plague, lived in fear of the authorities, always running and hiding in order to avoid jail. In so much fear that he even attempts suicide, is now in reality free. Because the plague has the authorities occupied he does not have to worry about them coming after him and he can go about his day. Before the plague not only did he fear the authorities, but he was isolated from society as well, “Cottard was a queer bird. For a long while their relations went no further than wishing each other good-day when they met on the stairs.” Even his own neighbor barely talks to him. This isolation from the other members of society seems to be a cause of his problems with the law. “Cottard sat down and replied rather grumpily that he was feeling tolerably well, adding that he’d feel still better if only he could be sure of being left in peace. Rieux remarked that one couldn’t always be left alone.” Cottard’s isolation from society generates some inner conflicts that cause his problems with the law that then cause him to want to isolate himself from the other members of society. Thus, starting a vicious cycle. The plague allows Cottard to sort of break this cycle by forgetting the authorities and returning to a relatively normal life, in which he once again integrates himself into society. Also by reentering society in this state he realizes that the quarantine will at some point come to an end so he makes the most of his time trying to earn friends that maybe at some point will testify in his favor. Thus, his the things he does such as help the journalist are a means of making friends in this world he hasn’t been a part of in so long and preparing for the return of how things were.