The setting also serves to highlight the contrast between the civilized world and
the wild, untamed landscape. The main character, Daru, is a schoolteacher who
has been stranded in this isolated village, and he represents the forces of
civilization and order. The prisoner, on the other hand, represents the wild and
untamed forces of nature, and his presence in the story serves to disrupt the
order and stability of the village.
The remote and isolated nature of the village serves to heighten the sense of
isolation and solitude that Daru feels throughout the story. As the only
schoolteacher in the village, Daru is removed from the rest of society and has
few opportunities for social interaction. This isolation is further compounded by
the fact that the village is located in a harsh and unforgiving landscape,
surrounded by barren hills and mountains.
The setting of the village also serves to highlight the theme of cultural conflict
that is present in the story. Daru is an Algerian of European descent, while the
villagers are Arabs. This cultural divide is reflected in the way that Daru is treated
by the villagers, who view him with suspicion and mistrust. The village is also a
place where tensions between the French colonial authorities and the Arab
population are high, and this adds to the sense of conflict and unease that
permeates the story.
In addition to the themes of isolation and cultural conflict, the setting of the
village also plays a role in the theme of personal responsibility and moral choice.
As the only authority figure in the village, Daru is faced with the difficult decision
of whether to turn the guest, an Arab man accused of murder, over to the
authorities or to let him go. The isolated and remote nature of the village, with its
lack of outside influence, adds to the weight of this decision and the sense of
responsibility that Daru feels.
Overall, the setting of "The Guest" plays a crucial role in the development of the
plot and themes of the story. The remote and isolated nature of the village
serves to highlight themes of isolation and cultural conflict, while also adding to
the sense of personal responsibility and moral choice faced by
the main character.
environmental conditions
Isolation and isolation: The story takes place in a remote location in the
mountains, where the protagonist, Daru, is isolated from the rest of society. The
harsh, snowy conditions of the mountain landscape can symbolize the isolation
and loneliness that Daru feels.
Oppression and conflict: The story is set during a time of political unrest and
conflict, and the snow and cold can symbolize the oppressive and difficult
circumstances that Daru and the other characters are facing.
Inner turmoil and conflict: The stormy weather and the blizzard that hits during
the story can also symbolize the inner turmoil and conflict that Daru is
experiencing as he struggles with his conscience and his duty to either turn in or
protects the prisoner he has been entrusted with.
The story is set during a time of political unrest and conflict, and the snow and
cold can symbolize the oppressive and difficult circumstances that Daru and the
other characters are facing.
The stormy weather and the blizzard that hits during the story can also
symbolize the inner turmoil and conflict that Daru is experiencing as he struggles
with his conscience and his duty to either turn in or protects the prisoner he has
been entrusted with.
Overall, the environmental conditions in "The Guest" can be seen as symbols of
the various challenges and conflicts that the characters are facing, both
externally and internally.
Freedom
Freedom lies at the core of The Guest and is inherently connected with the
human right to choose a course of action. Freedom gives life meaning, and
Camus believed that through independent action one finds value in life. The
narrative represents this philosophy. Daru's choice to live in the plateau region is
a choice motivated out of what Camus would call an understanding of the
"absurd." Any human needs to belong to a place, and the cruel plateau region
embodies a type of home for him despite its desolate climate. Just so, Camus
feels, we all need to make a home for ourselves within an essentially uncaring
universe. The way we make this home is through individual choice.
However, the freedom to choose is also paradoxically an obligation. When we
decide not to choose we fall victim to the essential cruelty and ambiguity of the
universe. Indeed, we cannot decide not to choose -- we must choose in order to
retain freedom. Daru attempts to pass along his obligation to choose to the Arab.
However, when the Arab decides to turn himself in, Daru suffers for it. Daru
should have made a decision, one way or the other, and stuck with it. Instead, he
finds himself in a state of desperate moral ambiguity.
decision
In the end, Daru makes a decision that reflects his belief in personal freedom and
the right to choose one's own path. He leaves Mohammed with the choice to go
to the authorities or escape into the wilderness, symbolizing Daru's rejection of
the colonial system and his belief in the inherent dignity of all people.