Albert Camus The Guest

Words: 379
Pages: 2

In the short story “The Guest”, Albert Camus suggests that when individuals have a subtle, subconscious longing to retain their past, this internal desire causes them to begin demonstrating care and compassion for others. Daru’s fondness of the Arab causes him to behave with consideration and understanding towards the Arab despite being fully cognizant of the consequences that will ensue with his actions. When Balducci orders Daru to send the Arab to jail the next day, Daru obstinately refuses as he strictly reinforces his own morals while claiming “every bit of [the war] digusts me… I won’t hand [the Arab] over.” Daru’s desire to follow his own morals causes him to be unwilling to send the Arab to jail without knowing the severity of crime