In the title, The Plague, Albert Camus seeks to represent the plight of community infested with a deadly infection. Precisely, the outlines the problems faced by Oran citizens in their bid to ensure their survival and sustain their humanity. Arguably, the method used in the presentation of his primary argument is rather confusing. In some instances, he makes references to other established authors’ gives his personal opinions, or a conversation with some of the residents of the residents of the infested nation. Moreover, he uses different rhetoric appeals to coax the reader into believing his arguments. The primary goal for the authorship of this title is to establish an irony in free people’s captivity to natural disasters and the importance of upholding ethical values when dealing with such circumstances. Undoubtedly, through the utilization of symbolism, allegory and rhetorical appeals, Camus presents a credible argument and coaxes the reader into believing what he presents.
Camus widely uses imagery to ridicule the ineffectiveness of society’s inhumanity while dealing with natural calamities. According to Booth (104), imagery utilization makes it easier for an author to represent arguments in an unclear way by replacing real life situations with unrealistic events. For instance, the author uses the rats to not only symbolize the plague but also the people in the infested society. He mentions that they die in businesses, playgrounds and the streets. Similarly, the residents embrace a similar fate. Although they may seem harmless and unimportant to a human being’s life, the author outlines the negative impacts posed to the resident’s survival (Camus 103). Consequently, he intended to reveal how people perceived as unimportant can negatively affect the survival of others or expose them to unexpected threats. The fact that people do not make a move to remedy the situation reveals people’s inhumanity regarding the threats posed to the nation.
The panicky situation within the Oran community is presented in an artistic manner to symbolize a war. Precisely, the author depicts the situation similar to a war zone after the outbreak of the plague. For instance, he reveals the mass graves, the dominance of military vehicles, and militaristic occupation to show the severity of the situation in Oran (Camus 112). From this method of presentation, it is quite challenging to determine whether he was trying to bring out a general argument or purposefully creating an allegory regarding the French resistance against the Nazis during the Second World War. However, it is certain that he was establishing a connection between his argument and the human suffering created by the situation during the Nazi period. The devastating effects of the plague are likened to the pain experienced by the individuals at war during the World War period. He pushes the reader to comprehend the magnitude of pain experienced by the Oran residents by offering a comparison to the Second World War.
Camus uses the characters within the text to evoke reason and emotion in the reader. Through the utilization of letters, books, sermons, and telegrams he ridicules people’s ability to communicate in spite of having necessary resources. According to Booth (118), rhetoric situations prompt a reader to seek a deeper meaning to arguments presented in seemingly clear ways. Critically, Camus intended to reveal the impact of communication failure on the development of problems and the emergence of uncertainties among the people involved. He explains Dr. Reuxes efforts convince the authorities of the seriousness of the complication and the need to implement appropriate measures. However, they do not seem to care as they barely show any concern until the entire city is under quarantine. Through this situation, the author seeks to explain that people rarely comprehend other individuals’ suffering because they do not know the pain they experience unless subjected to a similar situation.
Camus makes his presentation complex by utilizing contrasting symbols to present his contention. Precisely, one would argue that the symptoms of a plague should be linked to the weather. For instance, in times of sunshine, the effects of the plague ought to subside while they should be heightened when it rains. However, this is not the case. In times of suffering and depression, one would notice that the sun is actually shining. This does not make any sense with reference to appropriate symbolism. Booth (136) argues that authors often prompt contrasting arguments to augment the author’s need to understand the message being conveyed. In this case, Camus meant to explain that the weather had no impact on the plague’s condition. Rather, he was trying to emphasize the impact of the emotions and morals of this city’s residence in the betterment or worsening of the situation. This representation parallels the weather to the response of the world in terms of human suffering. Specifically, the conditions would be unchangeable regardless of the global reaction.
Aside from the presentation methods used to enhance the book’s readability, it is essential to appreciate the narrative technique used in conveying the main message. The narrator presents his story in an objective and factual manner from a journalistic perspective rather than a human story. He presents the entire narration from a third person’s perspective and utilizes direct communication with the people in the tale. However, it is revealed in the last chapter that the main character, Dr. Rieux is a representation of the author’s voice. According to Booth (154), presentation of narratives from a third person’s perspective makes it easier for the author to present arguments from an objective account. In this case, Camus intended to convey his arguments in an objective manner while embracing the possibilities of individuality and subjectivity in the presentation of the main character’s experience.
Camus makes reference to other forms of writing to enhance the credibility of his arguments. He constantly utilizes Tarrou’s journal entries to second his propositions and to create an objective mentality in the reader’s mind. He mentions “From Tarrou’s argument we gather” to deliver his suggestion from a different person’s perspective. He uses these accounts as a plot device to capture the events outside the main character, Dr. Rieux’s scope. Additionally, they serve a thematic purpose in enhancing a belief in the multiplicity of perspectives. He gives a direct account by mentioning his interaction with some of the city resident’s to enhance the argument’s presented from the main character’s perspective and Tarrou’s journals (Camus 168). This makes it easier for the reader to understand the argument’s presented from different perspectives. Precisely, they inform the reader that one there is more than one account to every situation. Utilization of this writing approach coaxes the reader into believing the arguments the author presents from different perspectives.
Finally, Camus utilizes writing appeals to influence the writer’s opinion regarding the arguments he presents. For instance, he uses the pathetic appeal to invoke emotion in the reader thereby altering their perspectives. This is best achieved through vivid description of the situations leading to the mortality of the city’s residents. Additionally, he ridicules the effectiveness of the authorities by representing them in a cold way to stir up emotions in the readers (Camus 112). The plight of the weak in the society is revealed by the lack of concern expressed by the people in authority. Additionally, he uses the logical appeal to drive the reader’s cognitive abilities in establishing the basis of his argument. He symbolically uses the rats to represent the weak and the weather to symbolize the impact of the society’s response in the betterment or worsening of a situation. Undoubtedly, the utilization of rhetoric appeals in the Plague enhances Camus’ ability to skillfully present his arguments.
In conclusion, Camus presents a striking argument in the title the Plague, thorough the utilization of multiple aspects of rhetoric presentation, symbolism, and allegory. In spite of the contrasting narrative methods, he strikes a balance between application of essential writing aspects and maintaining the initial argument. The primary goal in the authorship of this title is to explain the inconveniences people go through while dealing with natural disasters. Specifically, he focuses on moral degradation and lack of ethical values among the city residents. He ridicules the ineffectiveness of the authorities in acknowledging the threats posed by the calamity and implementing timely measures. This is achieved through third person narration and referencing other sources within the contents of the book. Making reference to Tarrou’s journals enhances the readers’ belief in the claims made and makes it easier for the author to capture situations out of the main character’s scope. For a fact, Camus presents an effective arguments through the utilization of multiple aspects of literature to coax the reader’s opinion.
Works Cited
Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. [Chicago]: University of Chicago Press, 1983. Print.
Camus, Albert. The Plague. New York: Vintage Books, 1991. Print.
