Existentialism in Albert Camus’ “The Guest”

In Albert Camus’ “The Guest”, why is Daru left in despair after giving the Arab his freedom to choose his fate? “The Guest” is a work embracing the belief of existentialism. It explains how life is based on an individuals choices. Daru is left with the decision to give the prisoner his freedom or deliver him to authorities. His desire to be left without a decision is a choice in itself. This becomes clear to Daru, as well as the readers, at the end of the story.

Having the decision to set the Arab free or turn him in leaves him in a bind. Each decision leaves him in conflict, because if he turns him in, the Arabs will see him as an enemy and seek revenge; furthermore, if he sets him free, he will appear as traitor to his own people. Keeping the good eye of the people who matter to you, supports the conflict in his choices. Daru believes that if he rids himself of the decision, he will feel no shame; however, he does not realize that’s also a decision. At the end he experiences a harsh epiphany, when he still feels bothered by leaving the choice up to the prisoner. He is left unsettled and consequently, he is only having a harder time living with himself. 

“Existentialism is a philosophical movement which emphasizes on individual existence, freedom, and choice” (the Cry page 2). The world is a terrible, cruel, and hostile place that can’t be avoided. Daru wants to make the right choice, because he has to be able to live with himself. That is one of the main themes of existentialism. Decisions are only harder to make, because you never know if you made the right one. Every decision we make builds who we are. We always have a choice, it is impossible not to have one. 

“This is the way the region was, cruel to live in, even without men– who didn’t help matters either” (pg 358). This quote describes existentialism in the landscape and in our world. The world is a cruel place and men are evil. The setting also contributes to Daru’s decision making. The land is cruel and merciless. It is isolated and the weather feeds off of the lives it takes. The story conveys the morality that each person try’s to live up too. Daru wants to be a “good” person, but its hard to determine what’s being good, with the decision he has to  make. “Angst” causes the insanity and struggle to find out what “good” actually entails.