Coronavirus as Seen Through the Lens of Camus’s The Plague
Abstract
This essay, composed for the honors seminar "Pandemics in World Literature and Film,” discusses the coronavirus pandemic through the lens of Albert Camus's novel The Plague. The disease outbreak detailed in Camus’ novel is set in a very different time period from our own, during which medicine was not nearly as advanced as it is today. Nevertheless, Camus’ narrative holds many parallels to the psychological, political, and social conditions wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, which this essay explores.
For additional context, listen to the author's reflection on the piece below.