Consequences of Decisions Made by Characters in Camus The Guest Essay

Undoubtedly, there is always a consequence to every action one makes. â€Å"The Guest,† by Albert Camus illustrates that no matter what choice someone chooses to make, or not to make, someone at some point will indisputably be affected. Throughout the story, each character is forced to make a decision at one point or another that affects someone else. This is best shown through the conflicts of the three characters, the setting, and the irony in all. â€Å"The Guest,† by Albert Camus is set at a school house that is in a secluded desert area. The first character introduced is Daru. This place at this time had just been through a long drought, and is now experiencing an extreme snowstorm. Daru lives better than most in the area, and receives a certain amount of wheat each week for himself. Being a thoughtful man, Daru rations his wheat to the poor village children to bring home to their families during the harsh conditions because none of their families are able to cultivate anything. One day at the schoolhouse, Daru noticed a horse and two men far off in the distance. As these men started approaching, Daru realized that one of the men (the one on horseback) he knew, and the other was an Arab prisoner who is being taken to prison for murdering his cousin because he ran away with his food. Balducci is the man Daru knows, an elderly military man, bringing a prisoner to Tinguit. As the two men came closer, Daru invited them inside to get warm, and then proceeded to make them tea. As they converse, Daru finds that Balducci wants him to finish the journey, taking the Arab to Tinguit. At first Daru thinks that Balducci is joking, when in reality, he is serious. Daru refused to take the Arab, but doe... ...e killed, which in turn will create an outrage among his people. This also will give them the spirit to start fighting for their rights. After all, it is their home; the French are just occupying it, which makes them feel as if they have all of the power. There really is always a consequence to every action someone makes. Camus’ story clearly exemplifies that no matter what choice someone chooses to make, someone else will be affected. As shown, throughout the story, each character is forced to make a decision at one point or another that affects someone else. Balducci’s choice was risky and could consequent in the loss of his job, Daru’s decision to let the Arab choose himself ended well, and the Arab’s decision benefited his people. All three characters, in all different ways, made decisions that resulted in some sort of alternate consequence.