To which cycle does the novel The Plague by Albert Camus, published in 1947, belong?
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Albert Camus’ novel The Plague, published in 1947, belongs to the cycle of revolt, a collection of philosophical and literary works in which the writer explores the human condition, solidarity, and resistance in the face of absurdity. This cycle, often considered an extension of the cycle of absurdity, constitutes the second major stage in Camus’ thinking.
To fully understand the place of The Plague in Camus’s work, it is important to remember that the author structured his thinking into three major cycles:
- The cycle of absurdity, illustrated by The Stranger (1942), The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), and Caligula (1944).
- The cycle of revolt, which includes The Plague (1947), The Just (1949) and The Rebel (1951).
- The cycle of love or creation, which remained unfinished and was to be symbolized by the posthumous novel The First Man.
The cycle of revolt marks a major turning point in Albert Camus’ thinking. Whereas in the cycle of the absurd, he observed the meaninglessness of life and the loneliness of man confronted with an indifferent world, in The Plague, he offers a humanistic response: that of collective revolt and solidarity. In other words, after observing the absurd, Camus seeks to respond to it with moral action.
The Plague is set in the city of Oran, Algeria, struck by a deadly epidemic. The novel recounts the inhabitants’ struggle against disease and despair through the eyes of Dr. Bernard Rieux, the narrator of the story. But beyond its realistic plot, The Plague is above all an allegory.
Camus depicts the plague as a metaphor for evil and tyranny, particularly that of Nazism during World War II. Written just after the Liberation, the novel is a reflection on resistance, suffering, and human dignity. For Camus, the plague represents all forms of oppression that threaten freedom, but also the ability of men to unite to face it.
This idea fits perfectly with the concept of revolt developed by the author. For Camus, revolt is not synonymous with violence or blind rebellion: it is an affirmation of life in the face of absurdity, a way of saying no to evil and injustice while preserving human dignity.
In this cycle, Albert Camus develops a deeply humanistic philosophy. He shows that even in a world devoid of transcendent meaning, humans can find value in their existence by engaging in acts of solidarity and justice.
The character of Dr. Rieux embodies this idea: he acts without hope of ultimate victory, but out of moral duty. He seeks neither glory nor reward, but only the relief of suffering. This attitude illustrates what Camus calls lucid revolt: a conscious commitment, without illusion, but necessary to preserve humanity in the face of chaos.
Thus, The Plague is fully part of the cycle of revolt. While The Stranger presented a man indifferent to the world, The Plague shows humanity struggling together to survive. This evolution marks Camus’ philosophical maturity: the realization that the only response to the absurd is brotherhood.
Since its publication, The Plague has been considered one of the major works of the 20th century. It continues to resonate in every era marked by crisis, whether health, political, or moral. Camus’ message remains timeless: “There is more to admire in men than to despise.”
Albert Camus’ The Plague belongs to the cycle of revolt. This novel, both an allegory of evil and a manifesto of human solidarity, perfectly illustrates Camus’ philosophy: in the face of absurdity and suffering, we must choose lucidity, resistance, and brotherhood.
literature
To which cycle does the novel The Plague by Albert Camus, published in 1947, belong?
Answer
Albert Camus' novel The Plague, published in 1947, belongs to the cycle of rebellion, alongside major works such as The Rebel.