In the short story “The Guest” by Albert Camus, the theme of self-determination is represented in the actions of the two main characters, Daru and the Arab. The story follows Daru, a French teacher who lives and teaches in a secluded school on a high plateau in Algeria. As he is tasked with delivering a local villager to prison for murder, he is challenged by the necessity to choose the man’s fate. Moreover, his own view of the situation and the larger conflict between the local people and foreign authorities is brought into question. In the end, the lack of decisiveness results in a worse fate for Daru, demonstrating the idea that even the avoidance of making decisions is a choice in itself.
The story’s narrative is built around the choices that the characters make. In the case of Daru, his main characteristic throughout the short story is that he is hesitant to act, either helping the prisoner to escape or escorting him to jail. Although it is clear that Daru wants the Arab to run, he does not voice this desire or free the man himself. Instead, he leaves the Arab alone with the means of leaving the school at any time. When not hearing any sound, Daru feels “unmixed joy […] from the mere thought that the Arab might have fled and that he would be alone with no decision to make” (Camus 1957, 6). The Arab does not leave, and Daru finds himself in a position where he must choose a side again.
Nevertheless, the character continues resisting by giving the Arabs more opportunities to flee. In the end, Daru puts the responsibility into the captured man’s hands by giving him money and supplies and showing him two paths – prison and a place where he can hide. Similar to his previous actions, Daru chooses not to make a stand, eluding clearly showing his view of the situation. Daru asserts that he is not going to decide by leaving the man alone and looking at him from a distance, being interested in the outcome but refusing to affect it.
A contrast to Daru is the Arab, who represents both decisiveness and the absence of choice. The man is a captive who is given several opportunities to escape and avoid punishment. Nevertheless, in the end, he chooses to walk to prison. One may argue that the Arab understands his crime and feels remorse for his actions, deciding to be punished. Another interpretation may be that the man does not believe he has a choice in the situation, fearing that he will be caught and brought to prison regardless of where he goes. Thus, in comparison to Daru, the Arab makes a decision about his life, but his choices depend on his view of the world and his fate.
The short story “The Guest” presents a complex view of how choices and their absence can impact one’s life. The author presents characters with different views of the world, challenging their decisiveness and questioning people’s limited freedom. Daru represents a person who can make decisions but actively avoids participating in other people’s fates. The Arab, in contrast, makes resolute choices but potentially arrives at the final decision from the point of inevitability. Therefore, the line between freedom and the lack of choice is explored in the characters’ actions.
Reference
Camus, Albert. 1957. The Guest. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Web.