The Plague by Albert Camus (Book Analysis)

This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of The Plague by Albert Camus. It provides a thorough exploration of the novel’s plot, characters and main themes, including war, guilt and disease. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

This clear and detailed 28-page reading guide is structured as follows:

• Biography of Albert Camus
• Presentation of The Plague
• Summary of The Plague
• Character study
  • Dr. Bernard Rieux
  • Jean Tarrou
  • Joseph Grand
  • Raymond Rambert
  • Father Paneloux
  • Cottard
• Analysis of The Plague
  • From a chronicle to a tragedy
  • The plague: a polysomic symbol
  • The Absurd and the revolt

About The Plague

The Plague was first published in 1947 and was a significant milestone in Camus’ work, as it marks a break away from his “cycle of the Absurd”. It tells the story of Dr. Rieux and his attempt with some other citizens of Oran to stop a plague which hits the city. The Plague was Camus’ first major success and, although he objected to the label throughout his life, is considered to be a classic in existentialist literature.

About Albert Camus

Albert Camus was an Algerian-born French writer, dramatist, essayist and philosopher. He is known in particular for his philosophical reflections on the Absurd and for his profound commitment to individual freedom, which he expressed in his writing and which were very influential during his time. He took part in the French Resistance during the Second World War, and continued to write until his premature death in a car accident in 1960, at the age of 46.

Camus was one of the major writers of the 20^th century, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957. Many of his works are now considered modern classics, in particular his novels The Plague and The Outsider.