Just Lather That's All Analysis
Martin Chua Compare & Contrast Synthesis Esaay Sept. 26, 2016
When one encounters a crossroads in the journey of life, choosing which way to go is never a simple decision. Often times seeking the correct path encompasses commitment, self-preservation, and free will. In order to seek the suitable path, sometimes these notions must be reflected upon. In the short stories, “The Guest”, by Albert Camus, and “Just Lather, That’s All”, by Hernando Téllez, the aforementioned apprehensions are illustrated by the similar internal dilemma and convictions made by both protagonists, Daru and the Barber. Although Daru and the barber have different sentiments concerning their guest, as hosts, they share the key concurrence of obeying their ethical and moral code.
There exists a vast contrast between the two hosts. In essence, the Barber would love nothing better than to cut the throat of Captain Torres, the man who had hunted down and killed and tortured so many of the barber's rebel comrades. Captain Torres' death would bring an end to the revolutionaries' greatest threat. Ultimately the Barber wants to kill his guest. In “The Guest”, however, this is not the case. The schoolteacher is vehemently against the killing of the Arab. “All this disgusts [him]” (Camus, 239). He is adamant in that he will not hand over the prisoner. Furthermore, Daru treats the prisoner nicely without ill will. In opposition, the hair cutter’s attitude towards the Captain is but a facade and …show more content…
At the end of both stories, both Daru and the barber hesitate with indecision. The barber decides against killing the Captain as he believes that “each person has his own place in the grand scheme of things,” (Tellez, 127) and Daru lets the prisoner determine his own
When one encounters a crossroads in the journey of life, choosing which way to go is never a simple decision. Often times seeking the correct path encompasses commitment, self-preservation, and free will. In order to seek the suitable path, sometimes these notions must be reflected upon. In the short stories, “The Guest”, by Albert Camus, and “Just Lather, That’s All”, by Hernando Téllez, the aforementioned apprehensions are illustrated by the similar internal dilemma and convictions made by both protagonists, Daru and the Barber. Although Daru and the barber have different sentiments concerning their guest, as hosts, they share the key concurrence of obeying their ethical and moral code.
There exists a vast contrast between the two hosts. In essence, the Barber would love nothing better than to cut the throat of Captain Torres, the man who had hunted down and killed and tortured so many of the barber's rebel comrades. Captain Torres' death would bring an end to the revolutionaries' greatest threat. Ultimately the Barber wants to kill his guest. In “The Guest”, however, this is not the case. The schoolteacher is vehemently against the killing of the Arab. “All this disgusts [him]” (Camus, 239). He is adamant in that he will not hand over the prisoner. Furthermore, Daru treats the prisoner nicely without ill will. In opposition, the hair cutter’s attitude towards the Captain is but a facade and …show more content…
At the end of both stories, both Daru and the barber hesitate with indecision. The barber decides against killing the Captain as he believes that “each person has his own place in the grand scheme of things,” (Tellez, 127) and Daru lets the prisoner determine his own