The Plague

Albert Camus

The Plague

20min

20min

Download offline

Add to library

Buy the book

Set in the Algerian city of Oran in the 1940s, The Plague is considered one of Albert Camus’ greatest masterpieces, and one of the great literary classics of the 1900s. Divided into five parts, the novel recounts the sudden outbreak of a plague in the city of Oran, which is quickly isolated from the rest of the world, leaving the disease to run its course. The story is told by an anonymous narrator, and follows the events of several characters who all try to survive, each reacting to the plague in their own way. The book was probably written as a metaphor for the war following the Nazi occupation of France, and provides an insight into how we are ultimately able to find the strength to withstand a completely uncontrollable evil.

read more

read less

0:00
0:00

Analysis and key concepts

01.

Something truly extraordinary happens in the sleepy town of Oran

02.

Disaster strikes for real, and Oran is isolated from the rest of the world

03.

The people of Oran initially feel like they are on holiday, but eventually begin to feel isolated, angry, and resigned

04.

Tarrou, Grand, Cottard, and Rambert all have different reactions

05.

The scorching summer heat throws Oran into deep despair

06.

The injustice of a senseless disease finally draws to an end

07.

It is finally time to celebrate life in Oran, but not for everyone

08.

Quotes

09.

Take-home message

Unlock this and thousands more with 4books Premium!

You'll have 7 days free, and if you're not satisfied after 30 days, you can get your money back.

Many useful tips to:

  • Observe the different reactions every human being has when faced with a great evil.
  • Realise that there are more good people in the world than bad.
  • Get to know one of the great classics of contemporary literature.

Albert Camus was a French novelist, essayist, and playwright. He was born in Algeria, and after his studies, began working as an actor and journalist. He rose to fame in 1942 with the novel, The Stranger, and the essay The Myth of Sisyphus, and achieved widespread public recognition in 1947 with The Plague. In 1957, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature for ‘illuminating the problems of the human conscience in our times’.

Publishing house:

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Year:

1991

Pages:

320

ISBN:

978-0679720218