Albert Camus understood the novel as philosophy translated into images. His characters embody ethical theorems and enact the respective patterns of behaviour. This applies also to Tarrou, besides Rieux and Rambert one of the main characters in Camus’ novel The Plague,which was begun and secretly spread as an underground testimony during the author’s time at the résistance newspaper Combat,to be published in its complete form in 1947. Four main discourses intersect in Tarrou. His persona is constituted by the discourses of Truth, History, Life and Death. The following is an examination of them and the relations between them. (The relations are signalled to some extent by ‘links’ in capital letters). Since Camus shaped Tarrou in part after himself - Tarrou’s biography resembles Camus’ unfinished autobiographyThe First Man- this may also shed some light on the intellectual and emotional forces at work in Camus when he was writing down The Plague. No character in The Plaguehas a stronger and more explicit relationship to truth than Tarrou. He distrusts the consoling quality of lies. Even when he faces the possibility to be infected with plague and is thus confronted with his own DEATH, he repeatedly insists that Rieux tells him the truth about his condition. (cf. 284, 287) But this is the only occasion when Tarrou is in need of learning the truth. He says about himself that he has “little left to learn.” (129) When asked whether he really thinks he knows everything about life, he answers in the affirmative. (cf. 130) Tarrou’s relationship to truth is essentially a Freudian one. Taking a stance very close to that of Freud’s Thoughts for the Times on War and Death,he lives life in acceptance of the true yet unappealing nature of man. Freud argues that we are, by nature, murderously inclined toward others, and that civilization can suppress this primitive instinct but can never root it out completely. This is what Tarrou means when he says: “We can’t stir a finger in this world without the risk of bringing death to somebody.” (252) The instinct to kill may break through in all our actions, even in those that seem insignificant to us. The condemnation of man to his own nature is total; there are no exceptions. Tarrou declares that he himself is like everybody else in not being able to escape from human nature, “each of us has the plague within him; no one, no one on earth is free from it.” (253) [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Truth
- History
- Life
- Death
- List of Works Cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the character of Tarrou in Albert Camus' The Plague, analyzing his relationship to truth, history, life, and death. It explores how these four discourses intersect to form Tarrou's persona and how they relate to Camus' own life and philosophy.
- Tarrou's unwavering commitment to truth and his rejection of comforting illusions.
- The influence of Tarrou's personal history and traumatic experiences on his worldview.
- The interplay between individual action and the inevitability of human nature.
- Camus' use of Tarrou as a vehicle to explore philosophical and ethical questions.
- The parallel between Tarrou's perspective and the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing its central focus: an analysis of Tarrou's character in Camus' The Plague. It explains Camus' use of characters to embody ethical theorems and behavioral patterns, highlighting Tarrou's significance as a main character alongside Rieux and Rambert. The chapter introduces the four main discourses—Truth, History, Life, and Death—that constitute Tarrou's persona and previews the essay's examination of these discourses and their interrelationships. The connection between Tarrou's biography and Camus' own unfinished autobiography, The First Man, is also noted, suggesting a potential link between the fictional character and the author's personal experiences.
Truth: This section delves into Tarrou's profound and explicit relationship with truth, contrasting it with the consoling nature of lies. Tarrou's insistence on knowing the truth about his potential plague infection, even when facing death, is highlighted. The chapter then explores Tarrou's essentially Freudian perspective, drawing parallels between Tarrou's views and Freud's Thoughts for the Times on War and Death. Tarrou's acceptance of humanity's inherently murderous inclinations, as posited by Freud, is discussed, emphasizing his understanding that even seemingly insignificant actions carry the risk of causing death. The chapter emphasizes Tarrou's belief in the inescapable nature of human nature and his proactive engagement with this truth, contrasting it with Freud's focus on the restoration of civilization. The section further examines Tarrou's awareness of people's tendency to resort to illusions to evade unpleasant truths and his understanding that confronting these illusions is crucial to face the inherent evil within humanity. The connection between individual actions and the unavoidable presence of death and suffering is a central theme.
History: This chapter explores the origins of Tarrou's unwavering commitment to truth, tracing it back to his personal history. The section focuses on a traumatic event in Tarrou's youth: witnessing his father, a prosecuting attorney, passionately advocate for the death penalty of a defendant whom Tarrou perceived as an ordinary, frightened individual. This experience profoundly affected Tarrou, leading to a deep identification with the victim and a lasting impact on his worldview. The chapter connects Tarrou's trauma with Freud's concept of trauma as described by Cathy Caruth in Unclaimed Experience, highlighting the perplexing experience of survival in the face of a horrific event. Tarrou's traumatic experience helps explain his unwavering commitment to truth and his understanding of the inherent darkness within humanity.
Keywords
Albert Camus, The Plague, Tarrou, Truth, History, Life, Death, Freud, existentialism, human nature, morality, trauma, civilization.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Tarrou in Albert Camus' *The Plague*
What is the overall focus of this essay?
This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the character of Tarrou in Albert Camus' The Plague. It examines Tarrou's relationship with truth, history, life, and death, exploring how these themes intersect to shape his persona and connect to Camus' philosophy.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores several key themes, including Tarrou's unwavering commitment to truth and rejection of illusions; the influence of his personal history and trauma on his worldview; the interplay between individual action and the inevitability of human nature; Camus' use of Tarrou to explore philosophical and ethical questions; and parallels between Tarrou's perspective and Freudian psychology.
What are the main chapters or sections of the essay?
The essay is structured into chapters focusing on an introduction, Tarrou's relationship with Truth, his History and how it shaped him, and his engagement with Life and Death. A concluding section provides a list of cited works.
How does the essay analyze Tarrou's relationship with truth?
The essay analyzes Tarrou's profound connection to truth, contrasting it with the comforting nature of lies. It highlights his insistence on facing the truth, even in the face of death, and connects his perspective to Freudian thought, particularly regarding humanity's capacity for violence and the unavoidable presence of death and suffering.
What role does Tarrou's personal history play in the essay?
The essay examines a traumatic event in Tarrou's youth—witnessing his father's passionate advocacy for the death penalty—as a formative experience that shaped his commitment to truth and his understanding of humanity's darkness. It links this trauma to Freudian concepts of trauma and its lasting impact.
How does the essay connect Tarrou to Freudian psychology?
The essay draws parallels between Tarrou's perspective and the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud, particularly regarding humanity's inherent capacity for violence and the importance of confronting unpleasant truths. It explores how Tarrou's understanding of human nature aligns with Freud's concepts.
What is the significance of Camus' *The Plague* in this analysis?
Camus' The Plague serves as the primary text for the essay, providing the context for the analysis of Tarrou's character. The essay examines how Camus uses Tarrou to embody ethical and philosophical ideas.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words associated with the essay include: Albert Camus, The Plague, Tarrou, Truth, History, Life, Death, Freud, existentialism, human nature, morality, trauma, and civilization.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the content of each section of the essay, outlining the main arguments and points of discussion within each chapter.
Where can I find a list of cited works?
A list of cited works is included in the essay's table of contents and is intended to provide full bibliographic information for further research.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2002, The Anatomy of the Saint: Tarrou in Camus' The Plague, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/60798
