The Plague

Main Characters and Their Development

• Dr. Bernard Rieux: The main protagonist of the novel, a doctor fighting the plague in the city of Oran. He leads the medical efforts against the epidemic and becomes a moral symbol of resistance and humanity in the face of catastrophe.
• Jean Tarrou: A remarkable and profoundly wise man, committed to active resistance against the plague. Tarrou approaches questions of death and struggle philosophically, contemplating the meaning of human existence and actively assisting Rieux in his efforts.
• Raymond Rambert: A journalist trapped in Oran during the plague outbreak. He initially struggles to leave the city to reunite with his beloved in Paris but eventually finds new meaning in helping others, overcoming his selfishness.
• Joseph Grand: A city administration clerk whose life seems dull and joyless before the epidemic. The plague gives Grand a chance to prove himself, and he becomes an active participant in the fight against the disease, finding new purpose in life.
• Father Paneloux: A Catholic priest who tries to interpret the plague as a test of faith. In his sermons, he calls on the townspeople to repent, but as events unfold, his views change, and he begins to see the epidemic not as punishment but as a challenge to human solidarity and compassion.