The Price of Love// Emily Otts

     In Albert Camus's The Plague, one character in particular interests me. That would have to be the journalist, Rambert. Rambert is a man stuck inside the cite of Oran during the events of the plague, desperately trying to get out to his woman in France. This man is so desperate to get out, he is willing to possibly bring the disease out of the town and to break the law in order to be with the woman he loves. When speaking of this with the doctor, Rambert explains how " we- mankind- have lost the capacity for love." (Camus, pg 163). Rieux tells Rambert he is not wrong for wishing to go to his loved one after Rambert claims he is possibly wrong for putting love first. Rambert must really love this woman if he is willing to do anything to be with her again, since he continues to go through this endless cycle of meeting with men who claim to be able to get him out. If they actually will get him out remains to be seen. 

    Ramberts words of claiming how mankind has lost the capacity to love really hit me, and I unfortunately see it so much in this world. When it comes to relationships, so many people just date in order to not be alone, in order to be physically intimate, and to fill a hole inside. When it comes to worldly couples, it can be a challenge to find one that are together because they actually love each other and not just what the other person can give them. Even Christian couples can fall under that as well. That is why a true, genuine love can be so powerful. If you actually love that person, you will miss them terribly and simply want their company. You would do whatever you could to make sure they are okay. If you ask me, I believe Rambert must truly love this woman. If she was just some hook-up, he would not go through such desperate measures to be with her again. Instead, he would simply just have found another one within the town. But he does not do that, instead, he finds a way to be with her again. I believe that is what separates Rambert from mankind, as he does have the capacity for love. 

I commented on Braylan Stringfellow and Haylee Lynd posts.

Comments

  1. Emma LandryFebruary 14, 2022 at 2:31 PM

    Rambert is definitely a character who stood out to me as well. Even though he is rebelling against the rules put in place during the plague, he somehow manages to still be a character with whom one cannot help but relate and look on with compassion. His attempts to leave the town remind me a lot of various stories that have been on the news during the couple of years we have lived with COVID. Quarantines and travel bans have resulted in what have seemed like interminable separations for some lovers and family members. While Rambert's efforts to leave town are potentially endangering others, I can understand him fairly well. There is something about such human passion that is universal. He feels as if he is living a fate that isn't his own.
    -Emma Landry

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  2. Joshua NaqviFebruary 14, 2022 at 3:39 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Joshua NaqviFebruary 14, 2022 at 3:40 PM

      Rambert is unique in his motivations. I agree that he most definitely is driven by his love. Such is the case in tragedy. If someone has a significant other or family members, those are their top priority. I can imagine that being separated from your loved ones and knowing they are just outside your reach would be miserable. As you previously stated, it is admirable that Rambert is even able to keep going. He is in a constant turmoil that is unique when compared to the other characters because he is not motivated by selfish reasons.

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  3. Haylee LyndFebruary 14, 2022 at 6:26 PM

    Rambert stands out to me as well and I sympathize with him. He is driven by his love for this woman, but he fails to love the men and woman of Oran. To "separate Rambert from mankind," is a lofty statement. It is beautiful to see that he loves this woman so greatly that he would put such efforts in to be with her. However, it is also hard to see that as selfless. He is risking giving her plague. He is risking bringing plague to the rest of the world. True love is selfless, and I struggle to see Rambert in such a way, although I foresee his character developing greatly as the story continues since we already see some development at the end of Part two.

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  4. Samantha TFebruary 14, 2022 at 11:51 PM

    Rambert and I cannot relate completely. Though his devotion is interesting. My gripe with him is that he is potentially too late. He had he affection and devotion yet he lost it. Grant it they both prioritized their work over each other, he still is only putting effort in again now that she's gone. Reminds me of the annoying but true phrase, you don't know a good thing till it's gone. This is where I can relate to him. I did not realize going into my freshman year of college last year how much I really would miss my sisters. I traveled home their very first home volleyball game I could make because I missed them so much. I turned in assignments late and missed time with friends just to see them for a day or two because I did not realize how intertwined they had been in my everyday until they were gone.
    I think it will be interesting to see how far Rambert is willing to go to leave.

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