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Albert Camus's "The Guest": A Study Guide from Gale's "Short Stories for Students" (Volume 04, Chapter 5)

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Worldwide Influence on "The Guest"
By Joseph Gray
During the 1950's cultures around the world experienced turmoil with the power struggles that led to many wars and protest. At this time an author named Albert Camus emerged as a prolific writer and is later described by philosophers in the categories of existentialism. "Camus is an Algerian-born French novelist, essayist, dramatist, journalist, short-story writer, and critic" (The Guest). In particular, Camus worked on a short story called "The Guest" illustrate the effects of racial tension, loneliness and limited resources during and after the French/Algerian wars. "The Guest" is written in 1957 during an era where racial tension and the struggle for power created unjustified treatment and inequalities. The characters Daru (schoolmaster), Arab (the prisoner) and Balducci (gendarme) are faced with limited resources, in-humane treatment and a choice to live or die. Similar to other nations, Camus use the turmoil in French to symbolize the world wars, slavery and discrimination that plague American cultures. The fight for equality in all races, social class and cultures is highly influenced by social rules, government and religious beliefs.
First, Camus describe the role of Daru the schoolmaster and his method of isolations from a society which he disagrees with. When Balducci arrived with Arab he invades the peaceful lifestyles that Daru created as the schoolmaster. Bound and tied at the wrist, Arab is considered Negroid in appearance and treated like an American slaves. The turning point of the story occurred when Balducci hands over the responsibility to Daru to transport Arab to a Tinguit prison. In a society with limited power for the less fortunate, Arab is arrested for murder and treated like a prisoner. Many miles away African American citizens are slaved in American cultures and treated like animals because of the culture's belief of norms. The inequalities of laws and social views allowed dominant cultures to view minorities as inferior or trash. Camus use of the short story "The Guest" helps portray a citizen taking a stand against un-fair treatment on all humankind regardless of ethnicity. Daru initial view of Arab is based on the information described by Balducci about Arab's reason for capture. Eventually Daru has the opportunity to make his own perception of Arab and then he realizes that we are all human and should be treated that way regardless of other beliefs. Even though Daru is a lonely individual majority of the time, he trust his own internal decision making process without any influence by elected officials.
Furthermore, in the past government officials allowed rules and laws to inhibit the growth of many minority groups. Individuals are forced to behave a certain way because of the laws that allowed dominant groups superiority. Although government role in "The Guest" is absent, the French/Algerian war for power is a result of dominating population's beliefs. At the same time Camus wrote "The Guest", American citizens were experiencing the Civil Right Acts which may have influenced his view and qualified him for existentialisms. When Balducci left Daru with orders to carry out the mission, he refuses against the gendarme mission. Despite the consequences of refusing his authority, Daru freed his conscious by allowing the Arab to determine his own faith to be free or subdue to the unfair judgments. Sanctions and perspective of the way laws are made are highly influenced by cultures and beliefs.
Finally, Darus' initial decision to refuse to transfer Arab is based on his belief system. The decision to view Arab as a human allowed Daru to see beyond his accusation. Worldwide religious belief helps to balance individuals within each nation to a certain degree depending on the method of worship. Despite the wars, slavery, and segregations of social class, religious views help to maintain social sanity. Every nation has different religious belief or perceptions, and some view their beliefs superior to others. Although Daru did what he thought to be the best decision, he returned to the school to find that he failed the mission in someone eyes. The message on the chalkboard read, "You handed over our brother. You will pay for this." In Christianity this phrase means a brother in Christ and he will pay for his part in making Arab surrender.
To conclude, Camus use of his writing ability help to merge the gaps among many cultures. Many societies and cultures determine superiority among citizens based on past perceptions and beliefs. Even though modern law makers make the laws that are catering to equalities, older leaders still drag along methods to maintain the gap in society. Ultimately the religious belief allows plenty of individuals to seek a higher understanding of how to view every individual. Camus refused to be labeled an existentialist because he labeled himself an absurdist. After reading this story I agree that he fits the existentialism definitions really well. From a famous Camus quote, "Without freedom, no art; art lives only on the restraints it imposes on itself, and dies of all others" (Quotes).









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