E 109 Study Questions – Camus, "The Guest"

1. Describe several ways that Camus creates a sense of physical isolation at the beginning of the story. Why is it important for Camus that the setting be isolated?

2. Why does Daru refuse to cooperate with Balducci? What cultural assumptions are behind Balducci’s and Daru’s stances?

3. The Arab has the opportunity to escape – why doesn’t he? [there are several possibilities]

4. How is the story’s title significant to the ideas in the story?

5. How does the end of the story affect you? Does it make Daru’s moral stance more or less heroic? Why?