Applying a Modernist Approach to Albert Camus’s Short Story 'The Guest'

Abstract

This paper examines Albert Camus's short story "The Guest" through a modernist lens, focusing on themes of isolation, absurdity, and moral responsibility. Camus, known for his existentialist and absurdist philosophy, uses the story's setting and characters to explore the tension between individual autonomy and societal expectations. The narrative follows Daru, a schoolteacher in an isolated desert schoolhouse, who is tasked with escorting an Arab prisoner to face justice. Daru’s refusal to follow societal orders, his trust in the prisoner, and his decision to give the prisoner freedom to choose his fate highlight the key principles of modernism, such as rejecting traditional values and questioning moral authority. Through this examination, the story critiques the human condition and the absurdity of seeking meaning in an indifferent world. By leaving the prisoner’s decision unresolved, Camus invites readers to reflect on the existential dilemmas of freedom, justice, and the consequences of individual choices. The paper has been concluded by asserting that "The Guest" encapsulates the essence of modernism, showcasing how cultural and political contexts shape moral decision-making and human relationships.