The Guest Themes
The three main themes in “The Guest” are choices, honor, and absurdism.
- Choices: Daru is faced with a difficult choice when he is charged with taking responsibility for an Arab prisoner and transporting him to the nearest town.
- Honor: Underneath Daru’s difficulty in deciding what to do about the prisoner is his strong sense of honor.
- Absurdism: The idea of the Absurd is fundamental to the story and is based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: Alienation
A sense of isolation pervades “The Guest.” The protagonist, Daru, is first introduced as the sole inhabitant of a remote schoolhouse set atop a rocky plateau. The landscape is vast and largely barren, especially in light of the recent drought, which left many of the already-impoverished inhabitants of the surrounding villages struggling for food. However, rather than feeling disconnected or alienated by his surroundings, Daru seems to draw...
(Read more)Themes: Choices and Consequences
At the center of “The Guest” lies a choice: will Daru turn the Arab prisoner over to the police, or will he allow him to escape? Daru is disgusted by the murder the man has committed, but he also feels severely uncomfortable with the idea of escorting the prisoner to the police station in Tinguit. He even tells Balducci that he “won’t hand him over.” However, Daru is not a revolutionary at heart and does not seem to consider the possibility of...
(Read more)Themes: Morality and Honor
Each character in “The Guest” illustrates a different version of honor and moral obligation. Balducci represents adherence to duty, viewing himself as an instrument of justice. He scolds Daru for “being a fool” and tells the school teacher he does not enjoy transporting prisoners either. Balducci explains: “You don't get used to putting a rope on a man even after years of it, and you're even ashamed - yes, ashamed. But you can't let them have...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
What are two significant symbols in "The Guest" and their relevance to the theme?
Two significant symbols in "The Guest" are the schoolhouse and the ethnic origins of the characters. The schoolhouse represents the isolation and absurdity of the colonial system, while the ethnic origins highlight the cultural conflict and futility of the characters' actions. Another key symbol is the blackboard, indicating Daru's and the children's alienation, and the unbinding of the prisoner's hands, symbolizing Daru's rebellion against colonial rule.
The relationship between the setting and the theme in "The Guest" by Albert Camus
The setting in "The Guest" by Albert Camus, a remote schoolhouse in the Algerian desert, underscores themes of isolation and moral ambiguity. The desolate landscape reflects the protagonist Daru's solitude and the difficult choices he faces, highlighting the existential struggle between duty and personal ethics.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.