Deskripsi
A city quarantined by an epidemic is a depiction of life that is incomprehensible, full of suffering, and ends in death. It is undeniable that life is dominated by death. Believers seek answers to the ambiguity of this life with the promise of eternal life free from suffering in heaven. Those who reject the existence of God who allow suffering to dominate life choose their own path according to the meaning of life that they hold and believe in. Examining how the characters in the novel Wabah react and behave towards the epidemic and the threat of death helps us to see more clearly the current situation of the Indonesian nation. Our situation, which is so determined by short-term practical political interests, has created a situation of uncertainty similar to that caused by quarantine and the epidemic.
Table of Contents Preface ~ v
Table of Contents ~ ix
Questioning The Meaning of Life ~ 1
- The Routine of Life ~ 1
- Human Sufferings and Death ~ 3
- Other-worldly versus This-worldly Point of Views ~ 4
Camus’ The Plague and Its Relevance ~ 6
- Politics Takes Precedence ~ 7
- I Rebel, Therefore We Exist ~ 8
- Studying Camus’ Search for Meaning ~ 9
Albert Camus: His Life and Works ~ 11
- Biographical Sketch ~ 11
- Camus’ Writings ~ 24
Philosophical and Objective Approaches in Literary Study ~ 35
- Literary Approach ~ 35
- Philosophical Approach ~ 36
- Objective Approach ~ 36
Atheistic Existentialism ~ 43
- Atheistic Existentialism ~ 43
- Phenomenology ~ 44
- Sartre’s etre-pour-soi and etre-en-soi ~ 46
- Nietzsche’s Superman ~ 48
Camus’ Philosophical Thoughts ~ 50
- Camus’ Methodology of Philosophizing ~ 50
- The Absurd ~ 53
- The Revolt ~ 60
- Critical Review of The Plague ~ 78
Subject Matter, Approach and Procedures ~ 81
- Subject Matter ~ 81
- Approach ~ 81
- Procedures ~ 84
Structural Analysis: Plot, Setting, and Characters ~ 88
- The Plot ~ 89
- Setting ~ 142
- Characters ~ 176
Situation of Life Described in The Plague ~ 248
The Reaction of The Main Characters to The Situation of Life ~ 262
- Cottard ~ 262
- Tarrou ~ 265
- Rambert ~ 269
- Paneloux ~ 271
- Rieux ~ 273
- Grand ~ 277
- Other Characters ~ 278
- Summary ~ 279
The Meaning of Life in A World Without God ~ 283
Bibliography ~ 292
Appendix: The Synopsis of The Plague ~ 303
