Themes: Morality and Honor

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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 their way." In Balducci’s view, the Arab man has committed a crime, and, by the laws of the French colonial government, he must be punished. Furthermore, Balducci has an additional moral buffer: he acts exclusively under orders. As such, his sense of morality can be sidelined so long as he is serving as an instrument of the justice system.

By contrast, the Arab man seems to represent an alternative notion of honor. His people shielded him from the colonial police for a month, indicating that—at least among the local population—his actions may have been either misconstrued or in some way justified. Alternatively, his people may have protected him out of the belief that the Arab community should be allowed to administer justice internally and independently from French authorities. The fact that the man ultimately chooses to go to Tinguit indicates that, on some level, he may either desire punishment or be seeking atonement for his crimes.

Daru, meanwhile, struggles with his moral code. He is disgusted by the murder the Arab man committed but is also unwilling to turn him over to the police. Daru’s moral dilemma paralyzes him, rendering him anxious and, ultimately, indecisive. However, by failing to make a decision, Daru is left to reckon with the outcome of another person’s choice, effectively sacrificing his own free will to the whims of an absurd and uncaring universe.

Expert Q&A

Does Daru deserve his promised treatment at the end of "The Guest"?

The main character, Daru, was faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to help the Arab prisoner who was being hunted down by the military. Daru chose to take in the man and thus put his life at risk. The fact that he did this without hesitation showed a great deal of compassion for another human being, but it also may have been rashly done without thinking of the consequences first. The Arab prisoner is later killed by French colonialists because they discovered that Daru hid him. In retaliation, his own family sought revenge against Daru by kidnapping his son and holding him hostage while they wait for Daru to give them a sign that he will die very soon.

Moral Ambiguity and Camus' Portrayal of the Arab in "The Guest"

In "The Guest," Camus portrays moral ambiguity through the character of the Arab, who remains nameless and passive, highlighting the complexities of colonial justice and individual responsibility. The Arab's ambiguous guilt and Daru's dilemma in deciding his fate underscore the theme of existential choice and the moral uncertainty inherent in human actions.

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Themes: Choices and Consequences

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