Albert Camus’ the Guest

Comments on “The Guest”

Albert Camus’ The Guest is about a schoolteacher named Daru that lives by himself in a schoolhouse out on a plateau somewhere in France. Daru is given the responsibility of transporting an Arab prisoner to a nearby city to face judgment. Daru was to have none of it. He wanted to lead his simple, uninterrupted life and be left out of the war that was evidently looming. Unfortunately for Daru, this was not an option for him and the man named Balducci left the prisoner at the schoolhouse despite Daru’s objection.

In the beginning of the story, Daru was obviously very reluctant towards taking in the Arab, never mind having to then transport him to Tinguit. However, it became rather obvious that even though at first Daru was very opposed to the whole idea, it was different and maybe even comforting to have another person there. Of course, Daru was sure to keep an eye on the Arab during the evening for fear of his own life, but he soon came to the realization after the Arab went outside to go to the bathroom, that he really had nothing to fear. In fact, Daru started to feel a sense of comfort. The Arab represented a companion, or a friend to Daru which are both things that had