Albert Camus: The Guest
...ts of his philosophy—an allegory of moral decision making in a hostile world. A. The political situation is implied, but never stated 1. The setting is Algeria, a French colony in Northern Africa a. The story was written in 1957 b. Algeria gained independence in 1962 2. The problems of a dying colonialism abound in then novel a. The era of colonialism is nearing an end b. The people of the region want self-rule c. The native people consider the French their enemy and are trying to throw off the Colonial yolk. d. The French are trying to keep order until such time as they can pull out without losing face. 3. The three main characters cannot act independent of the geopolitical realities. a. Balducci is a gendarme—a military police officer—trying to keep order among a people who despise his presence b. Daru is a European who just doesn’t want to get involved. (1) He sees Algeria as the only place he belongs (2575) (2) He is fully aware that his presence is despised by the locals (3) He does not want to get involved—he doesn’t want to be seen as “for” or “against” anybody. (4) However, he is a Colonial teacher who teaches French Geography to Arab children (2574) (5) He IS involved in the colonial enterprise, but he refuses to acknowledge it. c. The Arab has actually committed a murder, nobody denies this, and he is in the power of the French. (1) He has committed a crime that would merit serious punishment under any system of government. (2) However, he is now an unknowing symbol of French imperialism. (3) Nobody doubts that he should be punished, only whether or not the French have the right to punish him. (4) Comment on the moral ambiguity that Camus sets up—GUILT / INNOCENCE vs JURISDICTION / NON-JURISDICTION—do the crimes of colonialism have any bearing on the murder that the Arab has committed. B. DARU’S CHOICE (l’hôte – “guest” and “host”—both are the title characters of the story) 1. Daru completely resents the position that he has been put in a. Balducci expects him to help the Europeans because he is a Eurpoean b. He does not share this view (2576) 2. After Balducci leaves, Daru forms a genuine human relationship with the Arab a. He gives him hospitality b. The form an uneasy relationship (2580) c. This adds a new dimension to the moral choice—now he has formed a human connection with the person he is going to have to bring to execution. 3. Daru has a perfect existential choice to make a. The stark physical landscape reflects the stark moral landscape that we all make decisions in b. There are consequences to whatever he chooses to do (1) If he is perceived as helping the Arabs, he will be considered a traitor (2) If he is perceived as helping the French, he will become a target (Which does actually happen) c. The situation is absurd and existential (2581) (1) He is a schoolteacher who never agreed to make ...