One of Camus’ essays The Myth of Sisyphus has been in my thoughts a great deal lately. Do you know the story? It’s about a character condemned by the gods to push a large boulder up to the top of a very steep hill only to see it roll down and having to start the whole thing again and again, day after day, for eternity. The final words of Camus’ essay are: ‘Il faut imaginer Sisyphe heureux (One must imagine Sisyphus happy)’. This has now become a life affirming, daily mantra for me.
Every morning I have to convert my bed/bedroom into a sofa/living room. I’ve no idea how long I’ll be here and have to continue doing this. My interpretation of Camus conclusion is that by choosing to perform his task willingly, saying ‘Yes’ to it rather than struggling and complaining, Sisyphus turns his punishment into a new adventure every step he takes. This way of looking at his and my situation is practical and spiritually comforting. His boulder has to be pushed and my room has to be transformed, so we focus and do our tasks mindfully.
I’ve just downloaded and re-read Camus’ essay, sadly in English, and, of course I’ve simplified his message to a ridiculous degree. Its focus is the absurdity of life and Sisyphus’ triumph over our human condition. At university I loved the Existentialists and their philosophy. I’m going to re-read the essay carefully while continuing to use the story to help me resist treating a daily domestic task as a tedious chore. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed reading and studying works like this.
The other serendipitous happening regarding Camus concerns his novel La Peste. It’s my favourite work of his. The story is of a plague-ridden town that has to isolate itself from the rest of France to prevent bubonic plague spreading throughout the land and of the residents’ reaction to disease, isolation and the threat of death. Camus uses this tale story to explore the different ways people cope with life’s challenges. My recollection is that it was also an allegory about the 2nd World War and the Nazi invasion of Europe; about having to choose whether to resist or collaborate with the enemy (the plague). When I took out an Audible subscription last year (or was it early this year as the Coronavirus threat became obvious), I tried in vain to get a recording of the French text. I was delighted to discover, a few days ago, that one has been done. I presume the publishers decided there was now an audience for a book dealing with the topic of plague, isolation and death (fancy that!). I listened to the little sample they provided and can’t wait to hear the rest of it. Camus’ style is simple and clear, and the Existential themes are wrapped up in an enthralling story.
The Coronavirus is providing me with some unexpected benefits.
Wednesday 28 April 2020