The Plague Summary

In a large city situated in Algeria, a sudden rat infestation causes alarm amongst the residents. This seemingly minor nuisance soon turns deadly when individuals begin falling ill with an unfamiliar fever. M. Michel, a building concierge working alongside Dr. Rieux, becomes one of the first victims. When multiple similar cases surface, Dr. Rieux's colleague, Castel, deduces that they are dealing with the bubonic plague. Despite their insistence, the authorities remain indifferent until the situation becomes undeniably critical. Only then do they implement stringent sanitation procedures and quarantine the city.

The enforced confinement evokes a profound sense of longing in the citizens, leading them to dwell on personal grievances. Father Paneloux, a religious figure, proclaims the situation a divine punishment for the city's sins. Raymond Rambert, desperate to reunite with his wife in Paris, plans an illegal escape with the assistance of Cottard's criminal network. However, he chooses to stay and contribute to the fight against the plague after learning of Dr. Rieux's similar circumstances. Cottard, a criminal himself, exploits the situation, accumulating wealth through smuggling.

As the quarantine extends over several months, citizens gradually shift their focus from personal suffering to collective responsibility. They join the fight against the plague, recognizing it as a shared calamity. When M. Othon's son dies a painful death from the plague, Father Paneloux revises his earlier sermon, stating that the death of innocents forces a choice between complete faith or utter disbelief in God. Later, when he himself falls ill, he refuses medical help, entrusting his fate to divine Providence. His death, however, does not match the symptoms of the plague, leaving his case ambiguous. The epidemic eventually subsides, leaving the city in a state of recovery. The citizens return to their routines, but Dr. Rieux remains vigilant, aware that the bacillus microbe can reactivate after lying dormant for years.