“But what does it mean, the plague? It’s life, that’s all.”
Part One
The novel opens in the Algerian city of Oran, described as an ordinary, commercial town where people are more concerned with business than introspection. Dr. Bernard Rieux notices a dead rat, an unusual occurrence. Soon, more rats emerge, dying in grotesque numbers. The city’s residents are disturbed but dismiss it as a temporary nuisance.
As the rat deaths escalate, the townspeople grow uneasy. The first human victim, a concierge named Michel, falls ill with a strange fever and painful swellings. Dr. Rieux suspects something serious but hesitates to name it. More cases appear, and the authorities, reluctant to cause panic, downplay the situation.
Part Two
The plague is officially declared, and Oran is sealed off. Panic sets in as people realize they are trapped. The city descends into isolation, with letters banned and communication limited. Dr. Rieux organizes medical efforts, aided by Jean Tarrou, a visitor who documents the crisis.
Father Paneloux delivers a fiery sermon, declaring the plague a divine punishment. Meanwhile, Raymond Rambert, a journalist stranded in Oran, desperately seeks escape to reunite with his lover in Paris. Cottard, a criminal, thrives in the chaos, exploiting the black market.
Part Three
The plague worsens, and death becomes routine. Mass graves are dug, and the city’s morale collapses. Tarrou forms volunteer sanitary squads to help fight the disease. Rieux works tirelessly, though he knows the odds are grim. The townspeople oscillate between despair and fleeting hope.
Rambert abandons his escape plans, choosing to stay and assist Rieux. Paneloux witnesses the agonizing death of a child and delivers a second sermon, now questioning God’s justice. He too falls ill, submitting to the plague with a quiet resignation.
Part Four
The epidemic peaks, and the city’s suffering intensifies. Tarrou, who has become Rieux’s close friend, contracts the plague and dies after a painful struggle. Cottard, fearing the plague’s end will mean his arrest, descends into madness and is captured by the authorities.
As winter arrives, the plague begins to recede. The gates of Oran remain closed, but hope flickers. Rambert reunites with his lover, while Rieux reflects on the ordeal, revealing that his wife died in a sanatorium during the quarantine.
Part Five
The plague finally ends, and the city celebrates its liberation. People reunite with loved ones, but the scars remain. Rieux discloses that he is the narrator and reflects on the lessons of the plague—how it exposed human resilience, solidarity, and the absurdity of suffering.
Cottard’s fate is sealed, while Tarrou’s notebooks provide a lasting record of the crisis. Rieux acknowledges that the plague bacillus never truly dies—it lies dormant, waiting to resurface. The novel closes with a warning about vigilance in the face of inevitable future struggles.
Key ideas
- The absurdity of human suffering in an indifferent universe
- The resilience and solidarity of people in crisis
- The moral duty to fight against collective suffering
- The cyclical nature of plagues, both literal and metaphorical
- The tension between individual freedom and collective responsibility
Who should read this book?
- Readers interested in existential philosophy and moral dilemmas
- Those who appreciate allegorical literature with deep social commentary
- Fans of Camus or 20th-century French literature
- Anyone seeking insight into human behavior during crises