Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Book Reports Camuss style in The Guest Camuss style in The Guest In “The Guest”, a short story written by Albert Camus, Camus uses his views on existentialism to define the characters’ values. Camus’s effective use of descriptive words and individual thoughts and actions allows the reader to understand and sympathize with the characters’ judgments of one another, predominantly pertaining to the characters Daru and the Arab. Daru’s responses to the Arab and his decisions, Camus’s description of the Arab, and the Arab’s respect for Daru, prove that there is a basic goodness in humans, allowing them to accept responsibility and consequences for their acts of free will. In “The Guest”, Daru forms his own opinion about the Arab based on his personal morals, even though the Arab is given qualities that brand him a problematic character. Camus uses intensely descriptive words to describe the Arab’s stinging appearance. “…the whole face had a restless and rebellious look that struck Daru when the Arab, turning his face toward him, looked him straight in the eyes” (318). Even with these seemingly dangerous qualities, Daru suggested that the Arab be untied. From the minute Daru was introduced to the Arab, he granted the prisoner his complete trust and regard. Daru’s further evaluation of the Arab was one of integrity and respect. Instead of developing a judgment about the Arab based on what he was told, Daru examined and intended to understand the Arab’s character on his own. He made a decision that the Arab was worthy of his trust: “He set the bowl down, went into the classroom, and put the revolver in his desk drawer” (322). Daru put the gun away because he felt that the Arab posed no threat of danger. By doing this, Daru formed a distinctive, honest connection between the two where they both respected each other and concentrated on the positive qualities. Daru also wanted to ensure the Arab’s safety and health throughout his journey: “There are dates, bread, and sugar. You can hold out for two days. Here are a thousand francs too” (326). Even though Daru had known the Arab for less than a day, he had established a civil, affectionate bond with Arab. To guarantee his wellbeing, Daru had prepared a “care” package. Again, though Daru hardly knew the Arab, he used his blameless intuition to grant the Arab respect and behavior as a friend. Additionally, the Arab shows his immeasurable respect for Daru by choosing spiritual freedom over physical freedom, a selfless gesture that would, in the Arab’s mind, save them both. Daru lets the prisoner choose his own fate of taking the path to the East and going on to the police headquarters, or the path to the South, where the nomads would take him in and shelter him(according to their law). The Arab chose the path to the East and headed toward the police headquarters, where he was supposed to go. He returned Daru’s respect and kindness by making the “correct” decision and going to the prison. Finally, Daru’s reaction to the Arab’s decision (to go to prison) branded him an emotional character of virtue. “Daru, with a heavy heart, made out the Arab walking slowly on the road to prison” (327). Even though the Arab made the correct decision by going to the prison, it hurt Daru to know that the Arab, a guest in Daru’s home, would soon pay for the killing of his cousin. Daru wished that the Arab had chosen the path to freedom, a choice that would have rendered him guilt-free. However, the Arab’s decision to accept his fate bothered Daru and caused him to feel responsible for the Arab’s imprisonment. Again, Camus uses his views on the decency of man to express the considerate bond between Daru and the Arab. In “The Guest”, Camus showed that, though there are antagonistic elements in society, there is a simple decency in individuals that coerces them to accept the outcome, or experience the never-ending torture of the conscience. The characters of Daru and the Arab illustrate, both physically and existentially, the importance of respect and the theme that arises from it: the strength of the mind is mightier than the threat of consequence. Bibliography: Word Count: 688
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