The Deception Of Clamence In Camus's The Fall

lbert Camus’s The Fall exposes the façade of human integrity as a guise for hypocrisy and details the judgment humanity must face for this deception. In the novel Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a lawyer turned “judge-penitent”, confesses his life with a fellow companion whom he meets at a bar. The reader must assume the role of this character. However, Camus employs an elusive tone to maintain the reader’s interest, as well as force the reader to judge Clamence. Besides an elusive tone, Camus employs dramatic monologue to have the reader further question themselves about the motive of Clamence. Furthermore, the various depths in the novel, such as Amsterdam’s below-sea-level location, present fall imagery, pertaining to Clamence’s fall from grace, as his current profession requires penance. The Clamence’s monologue in The Fall represents one lengthy confession, honoring the title “judge-penitent.” The confession depicts Clamence’s fall from grace. Camus’s dramatic style enhances the experience. It portrays the reality of a confession, as a man reveals more, he progressively increases his passion. Clamence judges himself, again honoring his title, and almost cries out to the reader, as if asking for approval. Yet, his moods vary inconsistently, and the elusive tone of

His explanation of judgment that alludes to his exemplification of Jesus’s crucifixion “…he was not altogether innocent.” hammers home this notion of constant wrongdoing. Clamence explains that arguing a man’s innocence in court requires great skill, because a person always suffers from some guilt. Then comes Jesus, the savior. He willingly suffered crucifixion. Why? Clamence states that Jesus felt guilty for the slaughter of newborns at the time of his birth. Men always carry guilt. Jesus represents a “judge-penitent.” This alludes to the fact that Clamence follows Jesus’s example, but to exemplify remorse for his