The story was setting in Algeria where the author was born a
disrupted life before and during the Algerian War. I believed that the story was
based in the author’s life in reference to his location and the permanent positive
and negative emotions during war. During arduous circumstances, emotions are
easily viewed among human beings who share common life conditions and support
one another. Daru lived in a deserted rocky plateau in the mountains of Algeria
where the climate could be extremely sunny or dry, and windy, snowy, or cold
during some nights or mornings. There was not any fertile land or people around
high and low slopes following by a desolated expanse. Like the setting, Daru was
isolated from the cities and businesses. He was susceptible, fair, and, aware
of the misery and tragedy of the citizens. However, he was controlled by the
French government and did not have a choice. In the same way, the climate was
sometimes “unfair” because it was caused by the unstable atmosphere’s
conditions and human actions.
2.
Why does Daru give the Arab the opportunity to
escape? Why doesn’t he escape? Why does
he take the road to the Arab lands at the end of the story?
During that time French and Arabs were
subordinated by the government’s laws and duties during the war, so the French
gendarme and the rest of citizens did not have choice of freedom. Taking responsibility
of other life did not belong to anyone and it was unethical. Therefore, Daru gave
the opportunity to the Arab. He did not escape because he felt secure and
trustworthy about Daru who fed and cared him until the end. It was well humanly
treated. Daru was always honest with him, and so the Arab. As a result, the
Arab accepted his fate and made his own choice.
3.
In what ways is the Arab treated as a guest by
Daru? In what ways is Daru a guest in
Algeria?
The Arab was depending of Daru who treated him
in a good manner, made him dinner, and gave him a place to sleep. Because the
Arab did not have any possessions, Daru provided him with enough food and money
for the journey.
Daru was born in Algeria from French parents.
He was depending of the French’s government, who conquered Algeria, supplied
and managed all the resources which Daru made use for poor people. During the
story, Daru was an accurate host, but not France. A precise host will not
request something in exchange.
4. Albert Camus
once wrote, “No great work has ever been based on hatred or contempt. On the contrary, there is not a single true
work of art that has not in the end added to the inner freedom of each person
who has known and loved it.” Evaluate “The Guest” in light of this statement by
Camus.
Although “The Guest” mentions about violence, misery, and
death, it keeps and defines well what is moral, love, and justice. A great
story always keeps balance between evil and good over the life of the
characters. The reader will be able to recognize clearly what differences are
among human actions for a particular setting and character. After Daru asked himself
so many times, if the Arab could do something against him, he decided to let
him choose about his individual freedom. The Arab learned to be loved and
treated with respect by Daru, thus the future prisoner did the same as he did. If
we receive love by someone or through an experience, we will able to give it
back even if we find ourselves with limited choices.
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French existentialist author & philosopher (1913 - 1960) |
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