This paper looks at the different characters in Camus' short story "The Guest" in order to illustrate his use of language
and symbolism. This use of symbolism is central to the understanding of the story and the message that Camus was attempting to convey. The school master's survival
instinct is drawn from Camus' own experiences, as is the Arab rebel, the guest, who like Camus has never really fit into society and must wander in order to find solace. The sterile schoolhouse is also representative of Camus' solitary life, like that of Daru, who has always felt different and separate from other members of society. According to the author, the
unlikely friendship that grows between these two people, and the generosity that the solitary Daru is able to bestow upon this unlikely guest is the moral of the story and message that Camus intended to deliver to the reader.