The Real Plague
Although never given permission to kill, by supernatural or natural means, man has reserved for himself the right to kill other men. This self-imposed right has been put into use in our civilizations and countries. Whether train of logic is offered or not, murder is very difficult to justify. As existentialists believe, "honesty with oneself" cannot be compromised in any shape or form. Why, then, does man murder? Perhaps man tries to use the excuse of good intentions to escape the responsibility for his actions. In Camus��, The Plague, Jean Tarrou dares to go against the idea of men having the right to kill other men. He represents a small part of the general public, in both the novel and ...
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should consider using some of the prisoners in the jail to work against the plague. After dealing with plague-stricken men all his life, Tarrou rejects this proposal. Tarrou comments, "I loathe men��s being condemned to death," (125). Tarrou��s reasoning for that not wanting prisoners to be used deviates from the ordinary. While many would object to prisoners being sent out to work because they do not deserve to be set free. Tarrou has different reasons. Because the plague is equal to death, Tarrou would want no part in forcing men to take part in. He wants volunteers, "free men,"(124) to confront death, not impressed individuals. This reveals an important belief of his of man is to confront death, it should be by his own desires and choices, not by something which "fancies it knows everything and therefore claims for itself the right to kill," (131).
Many people would believe that the prisoners deserve to die. After all, these men are the worst mankind has to offer, and the world ...
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The Real Plague. (2005, February 24). Retrieved May 23, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Real-Plague/22776
"The Real Plague." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 24 Feb. 2005. Web. 23 May. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Real-Plague/22776>
"The Real Plague." Essayworld.com. February 24, 2005. Accessed May 23, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Real-Plague/22776.
"The Real Plague." Essayworld.com. February 24, 2005. Accessed May 23, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Real-Plague/22776.
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