Joseph Grand: A Hero In Albert Camus's The Plague

A hero is someone who helps others in a time of need, helps others out of genuineness, and sacrifices their life for others. In Albert Camus’, The Plague, Joseph Grand is identified as a hero because he brings salvation to the society of Oran. Joseph Grand’s authenticity and heroism are manifested through relieving suffering, sacrifice, and devoting his life to work. Joseph Grand is identified as a hero due to relieving suffering out of genuineness. Joseph Grand is a municipal clerk in the town of Oran when the plague hits. He is never promoted from his job throughout the novel, yet the narrator calls Grand a hero. Dr. Rieux, the narrator, and Grand talk about a novel Grand is currently working on, and during this conversation, Rieux realizes how much of a hero Grand is. After talking about the great deal of effort Grand put into his work, Rieux calls Grand a hero, “...and if it is absolutely necessary that this narrative should include a ‘hero,’ the narrator commends to his readers, with, to his thinking, perfect justice, this insignificant and obscure hero who had to his credit only a little goodness of heart and a seemingly absurd ideal” (Camus 137). Rieux commends Grand as a hero due to his selfless acts throughout the novel. Grand, without hesitating, agrees to help with the sanitary squads, and when praised for helping, he responds that he did not need praising because people should help others during a time of need. Grand relieves the suffering of others without