coconut house

 I caught way too many similarities between the setting of the novel and the current state of America as I read through this novel, and I'd like to take a minute to summarize them. The very first sentences of Part III describe the attitudes of the townspeople as the plague continues to roll on: "Some, like Rambert, even contrived to fancy they were still behaving as free men and had the power of choice. But actually it would have been truer to say that by this time, mid-August, the plague had swallowed up everything and everyone" (144). It continues to amaze me (and hopefully most of you) how lightly many Americans take such an obviously real and threatening virus. I worked at a restaurant over the summer and we had a few encounters with customers who disputed our new capacity rules, wanting to dine same way they had before the virus struck despite the obvious risks. There are countless other examples across America even aside from mask deniers and COVID deniers, just you...

Throughout my reading of The Plague  I couldn't help but notice how Camus builds tension through his writing. There are countless instances of foreshadowing that get me excited to see what happens next. One instance of foreshadowing appears on page 14. Rieux has just started encountering more sick people and is starting to tie it back to the rats, when his visiting mother tells him "'I'm so glad to be with you again, Bernard,' she added. 'The rats can't change that, anyhow.'" I think Camus is pointing this out so we can see the contrast later, when the plague hits. After saying something as optimistic and specific as this, I sincerely doubt that it will turn out well for the Rieux family in the end.  Another instance of foreshadowing takes place after Rieux takes a look at Cottard after his failed attempt of suicide, and Rieux suggests that someone stay with him for the night. Grand, the neighbor that found Cottard and kept him from hurting himself...