Albert Camus Identity

Pride and identity are two crucial aspects that an individual requires in order to live a meaningful life. In the short story, “The Guest” written by Albert Camus. The primary conflict within the story involves the main character Daru, a French schoolteacher living in the former French colony of Algeria. Living in a secluded environment Daru is physically estranged from his surroundings. More significantly, his lack of dignity furthers him into a state of despair. He does not identify with either the French or the Algerians. His inability to find home within himself keeps him from making the decision to lead a man to freedom. Daru has no pride due to his identity crisis therefore; he is unable to maintain responsibility or purpose. Daru’s uncertainty

Daru saw himself within the Arab: a confused man who lives in an unfair world and that neither of them could live nor be happy in, beyond Daru’s schoolhouse. Daru was conflicted due to his own moral dilemma and did not bring the Arab to freedom because of it. Daru wanted the Arab to disappear rather than helping him. Instead of making a decision for the Arab, he brought the Arab to a crossroads and told him to choose his own destiny, when he could have shown him to freedom. Daru handed him a package containing dates, bread, sugar and a thousand francs and sent him off. Daru was so used to handing others materialistic and knowledge that was handed to him: like the material, he was teaching, and the rations of grain that he would give to his pupils. All had been handed to him. He was not used to making any decisions or giving his personal advice, this can be inferred by him wanting to quickly abandon the man. Even when the man was visibly in a confused panic and was asks Daru to “listen”, Daru quickly told him to “be quite. No I am leaving you”. This inability to make a decision for the Arab shows Daru’s personal struggle to acknowledge his dignity and make a responsible decision. Albert Camus’ philosophy is clear within this piece. Camus had the belief that an individual should make decisions, and stick to their decision; they must continue to follow their choice in order to live a meaningful life. Connecting it back to the story, once Daru returns to his schoolhouse he finds writing upon the chalkboard recognising his failure to make a decision. He was being judged and that judgement furthers his feeling of isolation and inability to relate to the people who surround