Camus" "The Guest" brings up a theoretical question. How does social responsibility affect decision making? In this story we see that Daru, the protagonist, has chosen to take a teaching job in the Algerian desert. This isolates him from urban life and influences. A soldier named Balducci arrives with an Arab prisoner. Daru is obligated to take the prisoner to a nearby prison. Daru refuses. He does not see the reason to get involved and have any say in the prisoner fate. Balducci leaves the prisoner regardless of what Daru might do with him. Daru unties the prisoner, treating him more like a guest than a burden. Daru feels he does not have moral power to judge another, he trust that the Arab won't kill him. In the morning Daru makes no effort to influence the prisoner on the two choices he has given him. One is the prison, which is honorable and just, but also brings certain death. The other choice is to escape to the nearby pasturelands to seek refuge, which is less honorable, but could bring freedom. The Arab starts off in the direction of the prison. Daru is puzzled but does not judge. At the end of the story the townspeople accused Daru of turning in "their brother", when in fact; Daru really did not make the choice. He simply gave the choice to the person it would affect the most.
Camus is trying to implement the basis of existentialism: Every person has the freedom to choose his or her path in life. Everyone has their own perception of what is right and wrong is and when a person chooses what society sees as wrong, no one should be able to punish them for their decision.
