Oran: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Oran, peaceful and unprepared, is overcome by Bubonic plague.
Separation, isolation and indigence become the common lot of distinct characters
whose actions, thoughts and feelings constitute a dynamic story of man
imprisoned. Prior to the closing, people went about their business as usual,
almost oblivious to the plague. When Oran was shut off from the world, its
residents had to adapt to the new conditions of life. Men reacted to the
terrible visitation in different ways, according to their beliefs and characters.
I believe their reactions were based on their personality and their experience
during the plague. Each react to the circumstances of the plague in a unique way,
and emerge ...
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of making life better for
themselves and others.
The greatest affliction the citizens of Oran suffer when visited by the
plague is not fear but the sense of separation, the loneliness of exile, the
pain of imprisonment. The plague has an affect on most everyone in Oran. Some
become better people, some worse. Grand, Rambert and Paneloux are all markedly
changed afterward. Dr. Rieux and Tarrou are virtually unaffected. Cottard
undergoes but a temporary metamorphosis.
Monsieur Cottard is a criminal hunted by the law. A silent, secretive,
plump little man, he comes to Oran to hide from prosecution. M. Cottard is
basically a man lacking in morals, drive and direction, a, " a traveling
salesman in wines and spirits."
He tries unsuccessfully to hang himself when life seems hopeless. Prior
to the plague, he had an aloofness and mistrusted everyone. When the plague
descends upon the city, he develops an altruistic side. He sets out to help
people. He becomes more amiable as ...
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he does his best to assist his fellow man, doing
this out of a heartfelt responsibility. During this period of trial, he gains
an insight into his writing project and into the reasons why his marriage failed.
Grand succumbs to the plague, but recovers. Rieux sees Grand as having a weak
constitution, and believes he will therefore probably survive the plague. I
would rather believe he survives because he heard his calling in helping the
plague victims for the sake of humanity. Grand is an aging man with little to
show for his many years. He is still searching vainly for a purpose in life. The
plague gives him this purpose. He gains an understanding of his life from his
volunteer ...
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Oran: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. (2008, November 27). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Oran-The-Good-The-Bad-Ugly/93741
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"Oran: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly." Essayworld.com. November 27, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Oran-The-Good-The-Bad-Ugly/93741.
"Oran: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly." Essayworld.com. November 27, 2008. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Oran-The-Good-The-Bad-Ugly/93741.
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