Albert Camus Dead Men's Path

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“Dead Men’s Path” written by Chinua Achebe is a story about a man who is a headmaster at a school and a group of villagers who want to follow their beliefs they have grown accustom to. Obi is hardly considerate when it comes to the traditions and legends of the villagers. After being told about the path that was sacred to villagers, he still had a fence put up so they cannot cross it. This was extremely disrespectful to the villagers. He should have given more careful consideration about this decision to put the fence up. Had he let the path be, it would not have affected the school. He wanted to be in control and he overstepped his boundaries. As a result, the villagers were angry and in turn some of the school was destroyed. I empathize…show more content…
He questions if a person has free will? The irony that runs through the story is that Daru, who has chosen to cut himself off from society, He is suffering as a citizen of the world and for the world. Daru provides comfort while promoting tolerance and understanding. Daru gives the Arab a choice either run away and follow his heart, or to follow the path, which will lead him to jail. Daru did not want the burden of taking the Arab on the path and having his life hinder on own ethics and have to live with the thought that he was part of it. When Daru returned to the hill he was shocked that in fact, The Arab was still there. Daru sincerely wanted the Arab to choose freedom. He writes “And in that slight haze Daru with heavy heart made out the Arab walking slowly on the road to prison.” (Camus, 2008, p.831). The denouement when Daru returns home, after he gave the Arab a way to escape his punishment, he is met with a threatening message on the chalkboard that tells him, "You have handed over our brother. You will pay for this." (Camus, 2008, p 831). Daru unfortunately has defied the law when he did not return the Arab over and now he is going to be

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