The Position of Albert Camus Within the Algerian Situation
Strote, Noah
North Carolina State University
2020
132
M.A.
North Carolina State University
2020
The reputation of Albert Camus remains unsettled to this day. While Camus is best known for his novels and philosophical essays, his journalism that fought to bring more attention to the Algerian situation was, perhaps, his most important work. However, his vision for the future of Algeria did not align with the predominant ideologies of that time, and his reputation suffered. This thesis will emphasize Camus' most significant writings on Algeria, while also examining his position within the conversation on the Algerian situation, and how the reception of his writings effected this position. It will examine how his own personal philosophies and relationship to Algeria buttressed his stance on his homeland's colonial situation, while calls for decolonization grew more fervent. Set against the backdrop of the rise of Algerian nationalism, these writings will be considered in three distinct periods of his life, separated by two significant events, World War II and the beginning of the French-Algerian War. Finally, it will examine the revival of consideration on Camus' stance, decades after his untimely death, with the outbreak of civil war in Algeria.