The_Guest

The Guest The Road To Existentialism Isolation is a state of separation: a physical or emotional separation from one’s surroundings. In Albert Camus’, “The Guest” the main character is isolated in his environment as well as his relations with others that come into his life. The imagery and descriptive style of the story demonstrate the underlying theme of isolation, as well as the main character, Daru’s existential traits. The vastness and simplicity of the setting creates a perfect environment for an Existentialist: one who stresses the need for complete freedom and isolation from all that surrounds him. When the story begins, the readers are pulled into the “vast expanse of the high, deserted plateau” (1246). The region is described as “cruel to live in, even without men” (1298). The landscape consists of snow covered rocks and a dark, dull sky. Although Daru is a teacher, he is alone in his schoolhouse due to heavy snow. He takes comfort in his “white washed walls, his narrow couch, his unpainted shelves” (1248) which showcase the blandness, the coldness of his nature. guest, daru, prisoner, daru’s, alone, sky, main, isolation, character, back, vast, story, solitude, snow, separation, schoolhouse, live, life, imagery, expanse, even, environment, day, cold, change, blue, because, barren, although, 1252, yet, yellow, yearns, without, whom, white