In The Plague Itself, Albert Camus uses the concept of plague to allegorically represent the occupation of France during World War II and symbolize the absurdity of nature . The coastal city of Oran, located in North Africa, is struck by this unstoppable scourge which threatens the humanity of its inhabitants. “Camus's symbolic plague represents a multitude of ideas, but its aim is to lead humans to thoughts and actions by which they rise above themselves” (Payne). Despite the absurdity of the state of Oran, Camus has an optimistic view of human nature through his characters' selfless struggle against death. However, in the case of The Plague, there is a significant distinction between heroism and duty. The ambiguity of Camus' characters creates this conflict as they face a series of emotional, moral, ethical, legal, and religious challenges. The Plague demonstrates that duties are not always synonymous with heroism, because man is expected to uphold the common decency of a society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The setting of Oran is introduced in the first paragraph of the novel; this locality is presented as a French port on the Algerian coast. This clarity sets the stage for the story while providing timeliness for the reader. Camus continues his description by juxtaposing the banality of Oran with the extraordinary nature of the plague. By establishing this contrast, Camus's perception of the universe is more easily understood. He believes that individuals should live meaningful lives, even if life itself has no ultimate meaning. This contrast immediately sets the tone of the novel through its many themes. The absurd context of the plague allows us to examine individual behaviors and the way in which they respond to their contradictory duties. Duty in the literal sense is “something you must do because it is morally right or because the law requires it” (Merriam-Webster). There is no doubt that the characters in The Plague were called to do their duty. Whether that duty is to self, religion, love, work, or humanity in general, individuals are expected to oblige themselves accordingly. Therefore, if duty is an expectation of the common good, what is the basis of the heroic individual? Engaging in selfless struggle is not a “heroic” act. Camus undermines any "heroic" attempts in the plague-stricken city because of his theory that humans are mostly good. By fulfilling their duties, the characters simply lead meaningful lives in a hostile time. The only character that Camus explicitly calls a hero is Grand. Some believe he was born to perform the necessary duties of deputy city clerk. To the surprise of many, he rebelled against the plague through his writings and volunteerism. Grand was a mediocre man and a failure in love, but he “was the true embodiment of the quiet courage that inspired the health groups” (134). Grand, like Camus, interprets duty as a role of man in society and not as a heroic act. He rebels by searching for the perfect sentence, refusing to let the plague deprive him of language. Grand may not take on the “heroic” role of health group secretary, but his quest for a meaningful life gives him the courage to fight. His courage to overcome the social structure also deviates from the development of the other characters. Grand's insignificance before the epidemic and his commitment throughout the plague make him a hero. Bernard Rieux is the narrator of the chronicle which attempts to give an objective account of Oran at the timeof the plague. In the first part of the novel, Rieux believes that the plague can be stopped, but to his dismay, he discovers the devastating reality that such absurdity will instill in his city. As a doctor, he fears the panic that the involvement of the plague will create. As a doctor, his duty is to fulfill his profession. He is expected to fight the plague with his vast knowledge and talent. He said to Father Paneloux: “Salvation is much too big a word for me. I don't aim that high. I worry about the man's health; and for me, his health comes first” (219). Even though Rieux expresses a feeling of atheism, he does not interpret his opinion of God negatively. On the contrary, he uses the absence of God as a reason to continually care for the plague victims. He adheres to his duty throughout the epidemic but neglects a contradictory duty. It appears that Rieux's wife is ill and is recovering in a sanatorium outside Oran. By choosing to help the infected citizens, he ultimately neglects his wife and his duty to love. When the pneumonic plague develops, Rieux's work seems hopeless but he continues to contribute to the battle despite the certainty of defeat. In a world of abstractions, he understood that reality dissipated during the “endless defeat” (128) of the plague. He claimed that his fight against the plague was an act of common decency and not of heroism or holiness. Although he opts for the good of society rather than his individual duty, he cannot be considered a hero because a doctor is morally obligated to treat the sick. Tarrou notices many developments in the plague as he keeps a journal of ongoing events throughout its duration. of the epidemic. He proclaims that “Each of us has the plague within us; no one, no one on earth is safe from it. And I also know that we must constantly watch over ourselves, lest, in a moment of inattention, we blow in someone's face and transmit the infection to them. What is natural is the microbe. Everything else – health, integrity, purity (if you like) – is the product of human will, of a vigilance that must never waver. (253) The emphasis on peacekeeping is the moral responsibility of humans to help in times of disaster. This cannot be considered heroic. Tarrou is aware of his sense of duty towards the people and proposes the idea of ​​health groups. The plague is a collective disaster against which Tarrou, alongside Rieux, fights to protect humanity. Tarrou refers to his understanding as a moral guide to his duties. From this understanding, Rieux, Grand and Tarrou and their awareness of the plague lead to a fierce fight against it. In a world where humans constantly suffer from some sort of plague, Tarrou does not seek heroism. He hopes to achieve peace by siding with the victims of the plague and discovering how to become a healer. Normally, the Oranese were not pious. While waiting for a turn of events, they nevertheless participate in Father Paneloux's Week of Prayer. His sermon ultimately changed the attitude of the people and created widespread panic by declaring that the plague was a punishment created by God. He interprets his sermons as a beneficial provision for suffering city dwellers. His duty to God makes him inadequate and ignorant of the severity of the plague. He clings to his faith even after witnessing the gruesome death of the police magistrate's son. Paneloux eventually succumbed to death. He certainly fulfilled his duties to his religion, but ignored his duty to himself by initially resisting medical care when he became ill. As a priest, his duty to religion led him to advocate the faith/93