The Guest Flashcards
The Arab
Does not get a name -> no identity -> no significance
Symbolizes the harm done to the Algerians
Daru’s Choice
Doesn’t want to take a position but his neutrality makes him part of the oppression
Wants to remain neutral and isolated bc he is uncomfortable
(Sympathy for both the French and Algeria)
He makes the “coward’s choice” by not deciding and instead of remaining unscathed is punished by both sides
Absurdity of Daru’s choice
He is a teacher but he is making life and death decisions
Significance of the landscape
Isolation, removing himself from the issues that face Algeria and his involvement in the oppression
The freak snow storm isolates him even more
Scattered villages
Baldicci’s choice
Recruits Daru bc he is French and he figures they are in the same side
Military police officer
Arab’s choice
Freedom v. Death
Chooses death, the consequences of his actions
THE ABSURD HERO
Geography of France map
Schoolhouse is used to teach French to Algerian students
Daru treats the Arab as a guest
He views them as equals and doesn’t want to pass judgement on him
He sympathizes with the Algerian
Existentialism
A literary and philosophical movement the holds each man exists as an individual in a purposeless universe and that he must oppress his hostile environment through the exercise of his free will
Human freedom and responsibility to accept consequences
Existence precedes essence a man must exist before his existence has value
Absurdism
Related to existentialism that states that humanity’s efforts to find meaning will fail
Acceptance of death and live life to the fullest
Freedom from illusion of God
Albert Camus
Political Situation
Written in 1957
Before Algeria gains independence from France
French become first class citizens COLONIALISM
