The Guest by Albert Camus - Summary
The short story of "The Guest" is about a French schoolmaster and his dilemma of either handing over an Arab prisoner to Police or to help him get away from the clutches of punishment. The story focuses on the theme of existentialism. The story can be seen as a picture which reflects the dilemma of Camus of himself. Just like the schoolmaster, Camus remained unsympathetic towards the French, his own people's cause. He wanted to be non-aligned between the tussle of French and Algerian forces.
The story focuses on a schoolmaster named Daru of a school built upon an inhabited plateau. The place is unpopulated due to harsh weather conditions. In the beginning, it was difficult to live alone in a harsh place but eventually, he became habitual to his solitude. He was content with his modest life with an adequate supply of rations reaching him routinely.
His problem began when Balducci, a gendarme (policeman) arrived at his place with an Arab prisoner with him. Balducci told him about his reason for his visit. He told Daru that he had to hand over the Arab to the nearest police station in Tinguit. Daru didn't like the idea of this job, he refused to do so saying that it wasn't his duty. But the real reason was his conscience which finds it gruesome to carry out a task which would harm a person, in this case, the Arab. Balducci informed that it was an order and he had to obey it.
Reluctantly, Daru had kept the Arab with him. He treated him like a guest, offering him everything he had. The Arab was perplexed with his good nature. The crime of the Arab of murdering his fellow disgusts Daru but it doesn't prevent him from his good behaviour. At midnight, when both of them were resting, the Arab woke and went outside the room. Daru watched his every move but he didn't do anything, in fact, it could be the moment of his relief from the responsibility of handing him. But the Arab returned and slept.
Next morning, they both prepared to go to Tinguit. Daru made a package of rusk, dates, and sugar. They began their journey and walked till they reached a point where Daru pointed to the south direction and told him to go there to save himself and gave him the package and a thousand francs to survive. Daru also showed him the direction of the east which went straight to the police station where the Arab was being expected. This unusual act of him brought the Arab into a confused state. He didn't know what to do. Daru left but watched back to see him, he stood there. But after some time, Daru saw him moving towards the direction of Police station. After reaching his home, Daru found a threatening message on the blackboard, intending to take revenge upon Daru for handing over their man. The message was sent by the comrades of the Arab.
Camus left many things to the imagination of his readers.We don't know if Daru will die and why did the Arab choose the path to prison. Perhaps, the Arab might be inspired by Daru's conduct and find the prison life deserving for his own wrong-doing.
The story focuses on a schoolmaster named Daru of a school built upon an inhabited plateau. The place is unpopulated due to harsh weather conditions. In the beginning, it was difficult to live alone in a harsh place but eventually, he became habitual to his solitude. He was content with his modest life with an adequate supply of rations reaching him routinely.
His problem began when Balducci, a gendarme (policeman) arrived at his place with an Arab prisoner with him. Balducci told him about his reason for his visit. He told Daru that he had to hand over the Arab to the nearest police station in Tinguit. Daru didn't like the idea of this job, he refused to do so saying that it wasn't his duty. But the real reason was his conscience which finds it gruesome to carry out a task which would harm a person, in this case, the Arab. Balducci informed that it was an order and he had to obey it.
Reluctantly, Daru had kept the Arab with him. He treated him like a guest, offering him everything he had. The Arab was perplexed with his good nature. The crime of the Arab of murdering his fellow disgusts Daru but it doesn't prevent him from his good behaviour. At midnight, when both of them were resting, the Arab woke and went outside the room. Daru watched his every move but he didn't do anything, in fact, it could be the moment of his relief from the responsibility of handing him. But the Arab returned and slept.
"That man’s stupid crime revolted him, but to hand him over was contrary to honour. Merely thinking of it made him smart with humiliation. And he cursed at one and the same time his own people who had sent him this Arab and the Arab too who had dared to kill and not managed to get away."
Next morning, they both prepared to go to Tinguit. Daru made a package of rusk, dates, and sugar. They began their journey and walked till they reached a point where Daru pointed to the south direction and told him to go there to save himself and gave him the package and a thousand francs to survive. Daru also showed him the direction of the east which went straight to the police station where the Arab was being expected. This unusual act of him brought the Arab into a confused state. He didn't know what to do. Daru left but watched back to see him, he stood there. But after some time, Daru saw him moving towards the direction of Police station. After reaching his home, Daru found a threatening message on the blackboard, intending to take revenge upon Daru for handing over their man. The message was sent by the comrades of the Arab.
Camus left many things to the imagination of his readers.We don't know if Daru will die and why did the Arab choose the path to prison. Perhaps, the Arab might be inspired by Daru's conduct and find the prison life deserving for his own wrong-doing.
