Daru's Isolation In The Guest

In The Guest, Daru is unexpectedly met with a decision that could severely affect his life. The inevitability of the situation and the magnitude of his choice spirals the theme of the story by creating a tense situation between him and the Arab. This makes Daru’s view of the Arab confusing, his humane side makes him treat the Arab nicely and he is surprised by how he is treated but his past makes Daru worried. Daru is comfortable in his isolation until the end when he finds out that the privilege of choosing a side has gone. The indecisiveness is then passed on to the Arab at the end when he has to make a choice between saving himself from hurt or saving his reputation with the Arab community. This clarifies the notion that the magnitude and

When he refuses, Balducci tells him that during the war people do tasks that are set for them, but Daru angrily responds saying, “Then I’ll wait for the declaration of war!” Daru is tremendously angry and from the get-go is against this (8). It is inevitable that he has to undertake this task as “the village was beginning to stir” (10). Daru detests this responsibility and deeply wishes that he doesn’t have to do this. The repercussions continue as he finds out that the Arab killed his cousin. This makes Daru worried about the Arab, even though he treats him kindly whilst at the schoolhouse. When Balducci leaves, Daru “walked back toward the prisoner, who, without stirring, never took his eyes off him,” which indicates the high level of tension between the two (17). Daru’s fear is not only affected by the Arab and his past but the magnitude of his choice. If he does what he was told by Balducci, the French will be willing to support him, but if he lets the Arab escape, Daru would be seen as a hero in the Arab community and a traitor among the French. This factor is the one that most fuels this notion of fear both of the Arab and of siding with one group. Daru doesn’t really fear to choose a side and is attracted to staying in a position of neutrality, but fears rejection and the consequences of siding with one group over

This decision is major because now, not only is Daru suffering from the indecisiveness of the dilemma but now the Arab is. He now has to choose if he wants to go to the nomads and save himself or go to prison and save his honor and reputation within the Arab community, deeming himself a hero. He is “turned rather roughly to the south,” implying that Daru subtly desired for him to escape and be free (27). The Arab “ turned toward Daru and a sort of panic was visible in his expression,” Camu writes, portraying his inner distress as he tries to think of the consequences of going either way. Daru felt sad as the Arab left because he “feels something rise in his throat,” which is a feeling that people tend to have when they are sad or about to cry. He also is almost disappointed that the Arab decides to leave, looking at him with a “heavy heart” (28). This scene further magnifies the ironic fact that even though Daru isolates himself from humanity, he is the most humane person in the