... down on humans, having some power over them. However, in the two novels, the existence of such gods is denied. Both texts were key books in promoting the idea of Existentialism. This is the belief that there is no all-powerful God and thus, people have the opportunity to do what ... , people did have the power "to reverse the trend of apathy and despair" by looking inwards instead of upwards. The existential belief is shown strongly throughout both books. The main character from "The Plague," Dr Rieux was, maybe even without realising it, was an existentialist. "The plague affected every...

• Word Count: 1692
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... have been easier, but many of the names started with the same letter such as: Rambert and Rieux. The name issue really bothered me while I was reading this novel. I enjoy books that do no veer away from the main plot of the story. When Camus mentioned things about the characters" child hoods or an insignificant happening of their lives, I felt as ... though I was watching a really good show on television, and it was paused for a commercial. The subplots in some books are relevant and almost necessary to allow them to make sense, but the ones in this book only served as page-fillers. Eve...

• Word Count: 2018
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... and motivate the traveler to survive in the real world and to see and understand it clearly. Bibliography: Camus, Albert. The Plague. Trans. Stuart Gilbert. San Diego: Los Angeles: Vintage Books, 1991. 1-308. Solzhenitsyn, Alexander. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Trans. Yevgeny Yevtushenko. New York: Signet Classic, 1998. 1-142. ...

• Word Count: 1505
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... scrutinize man's uprisings to strive for something better. As a whole, the works of Camus consistently evokes a certain sense of awe at the logically impeccable and intellectually brilliant manner with which books such as this were produced. While one can occasionally get bogged down in the multitude of ostensibly historical references, his steady and sure methodology ensures that there is eventual escape ... ...

• Word Count: 945
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Graduate

... they have finally settled a new, successful life, Gregor ceases to feel needed. Thus, the influence of his parents is the eventual death of him. Looking at the denouements of these books, one can see how both the death of Meursalt and Gregor are initially the result of either a bad up-bringing or just mistreatment from their parents. Perhaps if Meursalt's mother ... ...

• Word Count: 1172
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School