Daru Arab Political
In the short story “The Guest” by Albert Camus, the thoughts of a French Algerian are looked at by examining a relationship he develops with an Arab Algerian. This story takes place just prior to the Algerian uprising toward the French. During this time together we begin to see the impact the political ideas the main character has and how they grow to the point he is able to actually act upon them and not just think about them. A few of this ideas and the action he took will be looked at.
The story begins by establishing the main character, Daru, is a school teacher. Through the set up of the story we can figure out that Daru teaches in a poor area. Because Daru is a teacher we believe him to be a smart man capable of possessing and passing on knowledge, we also see that he is a caring and compassionate man. We learn that part of the teacher's responsibility is to pass out grain that has been supplied by the government to help the local families that had just suffered through a drought. His compassion is talked about by the fact that he would sit alone with no students just so he could be there to pass out the grain that was needed by the families. These traits about him are good to know as we are introduced to the other two characters.
The two new characters come up to the school house and only one begins to interact with Daru. Balducci was known by Daru for some time, we don't know how well they knew each other but they have some sort of relationship. The other person is just referred to as the Arab and he is a prisoner of Balducci. Small talk ensues between Daru and Balducci but the Arab stays off to the side and pretty much out of the picture. As the evening progresses the truth about the visit comes out. As Daru is told what is expected of him we begin to see that he doesn't want to have anything to do with the task that has been placed upon him. He so much doesn't wish to do the deed that he even offends Balducci by his actions and his words. Political ideas can be sore spots for some people; sometimes when we interact with others and our ideas come out they can strain any relationship. In this short exchange we see that relationship be strained and we see a little resentment that Daru may have with the government. At one point in the conversation Daru makes the statement “The orders? I'm not…” At this point we learn that Daru, at some point was a part of the military and with this partial statement wanted it known he was no longer a part of that.
Daru reluctantly takes charge of the Arab and at that point begins to contemplate what is going on. During these thoughts we learn that he was in the isolated location of this school by his own choice. Many thoughts come to mind at this point, we know nothing of his war service so we have no idea of what he saw or experienced but we have to believe something pushed him to want to be away from everything. Could that desire to be separated from the world be why he so much didn't want to have to do the task of delivering the prisoner? He never really expresses what he believes, but most of the time we can read peoples thoughts by analyzing their actions. The actions of Daru are that of someone who opposes what he is being presented with.
We learned earlier that Daru has a job where he passes out food to the needy and he spends time with the poor children, so we know he has a heart for humanity. Now as he is faced with the responsibility of delivering this person ultimately to his death at the hands of the legal system we see that humanity and compassion come out and it makes it hard for him to do what he was told to do. Many times we face situations where our own convictions conflict with what is expected of us. Calmus shows us that struggle through the actions of Daru. The simple thing would have been for Daru to treat the Arab like a prisoner, like he was, and then go in the morning and deliver him to the Police Headquarters. Instead Daru chooses to treat the Arab with compassion and develops a natural bond with him that makes it harder for him to do what he is supposed to do. Daru lays there through the night and just hopes the Arab leaves so his actions are easier but the prisoner remains there.
In the morning Daru still couldn't bring himself to take the Arab to the station where he was expected. Daru did everything he felt he could, he gave the Arab food, money and most of all his freedom but the Arab chose to go the way of prison and rejected the freedom offered. Daru ultimately let his convictions take over and refused to turn the man over to the authorities himself. This says a lot about his political thoughts. We don't know the risk he took by giving the prisoner the opportunity go free, all we know is that he signed for him with the idea he had to be delivered to the authorities. His convictions were strong and he allowed them to control his life.
Many times people have their own strong thoughts and ideas but when they are challenged or are put to a situation where there may be negative consequences they give in. As Daru was faced with a situation that went against his beliefs he grew stronger and was able to act upon them. Convictions can place us in precarious situations and sometimes others don't understand. A good example for us today would be having a military member that is supportive of the idea of leaving the fighting in the Middle East and bringing our troops home. Political ideology is everywhere; we are just not all able to be Darus.
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