Discussion Assignment | Get Paper Help

On the discussion board, please answer any of the following questions. As a reminder, your post must be at least 300 words, include a question about the reading, and is due Thursday, April 15 at 8:00 a.m.

(I) The first chapter of part 2, the narrator describes how the general populace responds to being socially isolated and quarantined. How does he describe the new situation? What does he mean that people are exiled in their own home town? How do people deal with despair and hope? What in particular leads to despair? Have you experienced something similar with your own social isolation?

2) Camus describes how a number of people respond to the plague: Rambert, Father Paneloux, Grand, Dr. Rieux, Cottard, and Tarrou. In your post, describe how ONE of these characters responds to the plague. What do they do? What are they trying to accomplish? What is good and right about their response? What is foolish/absurd about their response? What do you think this has to say about our own situation? What can we learn from these attempts?

(3) The theme of religion is a large focus of this section. What does the priest say about the plague? Why does Dr. Rieux not accept this account? What does Dr. Rieux think about religion?

(4) In chapter 15 (starting on page 122), Dr. Rieux and Tarrou enter a philosophical debate. This is one of the more important sections of the reading, so please read it carefully. How does Dr. Rieux face death? What gives him the motivation to continue the struggle against the plague? Especially as he knows that the plague will kill most of his patients? What is good about the struggle? Do you think this makes sense?

(5) The outside community sees Tarrou and his sanitary team as heroes. Why does this account of heroism give Dr. Rieux pause? How does he relate heroism to common decency? Why does Dr. Rieux think Grand is the real hero?

(6) Pick two or three quotes that you found particularly interesting or insightful. Explain why you think these quotes are helpful for understanding life under the plague. How do they help you understand your own situation?

I hope you are all safe and healthy!