Depression
The Social Epidemic of Fear and Isolation in The Plague
Selah Stoermer
English 1302
Professor Hammett
Rhetorical Analysis
April 25, 2026
Rhetorical Analysis
If life has no clear meaning of purpose, what is the point of living? Many philosophers have been challenged by this question for centuries, it has even become a central focus of twentieth century literature. Albert Camus, a French philosopher and writer, became well known after World War II. His ideas about existentialism and the philosophy of the absurd is what made him stand out. Living during a time of war, death, and uncertainty, Camus focused on how society responds to such suffering and chaos. His work, including The Myth of Sisyphus and The Plague, explore how individuals search for meaning in a world that people deem unfair and uncertain. Camus’ writing is significant to this day because it challenges readers to think about how they should live life when it does not offer any easy answers. In The Plague, Camus explores a social epidemic of fear, isolation, and emotional disconnection caused by widespread disease, and argues that people can respond to it through solidarity, compassion, and action all together. This idea is important because Camus is not only describing an event like a disease outbreak, but also showing how entire societies can begin to lose their sense of connection and humanity when faced with widespread suffering. In this way, the plague becomes a symbol of how fear spreads socially as much as physically. Camus ultimately argues that although life has no inherent meaning, people can resist this social epidemic by choosing solidarity, compassion, and collective responsibility
Camus’ views on human suffering and collective responsibility were shaped by his experience during World War II as a journalist. During the Nazi occupation of France, Camus worked for the underground Resistance newspaper Combat , where he wrote entries about injustice, violence, and responsibility. In these writings, Camus encouraged citizens to resist oppression and support one another during a time of uncertainty. This experience exposed him to the emotional effects of crisis in the world, not just in theory. He witnessed how war created isolation, anxiety, and confusion about what is right across all society. Because of this background, The Plague can be read as more than a story about disease, it also reflects how societies behave during war and occupation. The fictional epidemic in Oran mirrors the social climate of World War II, where fear and suffering spread across entire communities and forced individuals to decide whether they would act selfishly or work together for the common good.
Camus believes that human life is essentially meaningless, which creates the “absurd”, so he calls it. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus explains, “The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world.” This quote shows that people naturally search for meaning in life, but the world does not provide clear answers. This conflict leads humans to experience the absurd. Camus argues that recognizing this truth is the beginning in understanding human existence. He believes people should accept this lack of meaning and decide how they want to respond to it, rather than pretending life has a clear purpose. This idea also applies to how people respond during real-life crises. In other words, Camus is not suggesting that life becomes meaningless in a negative or hopeless way, but rather that people must stop expecting the world to give them purpose. Instead, meaning comes from how individuals choose to act in situations where answers do not exist. This shift in thinking is what allows people to respond to suffering more realistically.
Camus argues that even though life is meaningless, people can create purpose through their actions. In The Plague, Dr. Rieux explains his motivation by stating, “The only means of fighting a plague is common decency.” This quote shows that the characters create their own purpose by choosing to help others during a crisis. Even though the plague is unfair and was not expected, the characters still act with compassion. Camus uses the plague as an example of a social epidemic that isolates people, creates fear, and breaks down human connection. This interpretation becomes even stronger when considering Camus’ experience writing about resistance and responsibility during World War II. Camus uses this example to show that meaning is not something the universe gives, instead it is something humans build through responsibility and unity. By choosing to care for others, the characters prove that life can still have meaning and value despite the absurd. For example, when the city of Oran is quarantined, people are suddenly cut off from the outside world and from loved ones, which creates a sense of emotional isolation that is just as powerful as the physical disease itself. Daily routines collapse, communication becomes limited, and people begin to feel trapped not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Camus describes the town as a place where people lived “as if they had no memories and no hope” (Camus, 1947/1991, p. 51). Camus uses this setting to show that the true danger of the plague is not only death, but also the breakdown of human relationships, which leads people to feel disconnected from society and from each other. This is what turns the plague into a “social epidemic” in addition to a medical one.
In his work, Albert Camus shows that, inherently, life has no meaning, but society can create purpose through actions and commitment to others. Camus first explains that the absurd comes from the conflict between humanity's search for meaning and the world's deafening stillness. He then shows through character in The Plague that people can respond to this social epidemic of fear and isolation by acting with courage, responsibility, and kindness. Ultimately, Camus suggests that while life may not have a clear purpose, the choices people make give life value and meaning, especially during difficult times. Camus insists that “the struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart” (Camus, 1942/1991, p. 123). This ultimately means that Camus sees human response as the defining factor in whether life feels meaningful, especially in moments of crisis where people must decide between isolation and solidarity. This message encourages readers to reflect on their own choices and responsibilities in difficult moments.
​
References
Camus, A. (1947). The Plague. Camus - The Plague. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/luminist/EB/C/Camus%20-%20The%20Plague.pdf
Farrell, B. (2020, April 14). Albert Camus’ “The Plague” and the art of living during times of catastrophe. Waging Nonviolence. https://wagingnonviolence.org/podcast/albert-camus-the-plague-nonviolent-resistance-rescue-wwii-coronavirus/