The Plague of Cyberbullying : Rhetorical Analysis Essay

In the digital age, cyberbullying has emerged as a prevalent and dangerous social epidemic affecting individuals across various demographics and leaving lasting psychological scars. The ability to be anonymous and reach of online platforms have intensified the issue making it a critical area of concern for society. Albert Camus, a prominent figure in absurdist literature, explores themes of human suffering, isolation, and the search for meaning in his seminal work The Plague (2020). This novel, set against an epidemic backdrop, explores the absurdity of existence and the human condition. Examining Camus's absurdist philosophy and the central themes in The Plague reveals the author's profound insights into the nature of cyberbullying, its impact on individuals, and the broader societal implications. 

Camus' philosophy of the absurd is woven throughout The Plague, emphasizing that suffering is an inevitable part of the human condition. Camus states, “The plague bacillus never dies or disappears for good… it can lie dormant for years and years in furniture and linen-chests; it bides its time in bedrooms, cellars, trunks, and bookshelves; and perhaps the day will come when, for the bane and the enlightening of men, it will rouse up its rats again and send them forth to die in a happy city” (2020, p. 150). This quote emphasizes the inescapability and cyclical nature of suffering. This resonates with the experience of cyberbullying, where both victims and perpetrators are caught in a cycle of harm and pain. Camus suggests that while suffering is inescapable, the response to it is what defines us. Cyberbullying, like the plague, can spread rapidly and seemingly without reason, causing widespread harm. However, The Plague also suggests that individuals can find meaning through resilience, solidarity, and moral action, even in the face of absurdity and suffering. This idea can empower individuals to confront and overcome the harm caused by cyberbullying.

In The Plague, the plague can be seen as a symbol of the absurdity of evil—an indiscriminate force that causes suffering without reason. Camus’ portrayal of evil is stark: “For who would dare to assert that eternal happiness can compensate for a single moment's human suffering?” (2020, p. 109). This line captures the absurdity and randomness of suffering, which is a central theme in the novel. Cyberbullying can similarly be viewed as an absurd manifestation of evil, often arbitrary in its targets and seemingly without purpose other than to inflict pain. The novel's characters struggle to find meaning in the face of the plague, just as society struggles to understand and address the causes and consequences of cyberbullying. Camus' portrayal of evil as something that can be resisted but not entirely eradicated mirrors the ongoing battle against cyberbullying, which requires constant vigilance and effort.

Despite the bleakness of The Plague, there is a sense of redemption and hope in the characters' collective struggle against the disease. Toward the end of The Plague, Camus writes, “There are more things to admire in men than to despise” (2020, p. 150). This statement encapsulates the underlying hope in the novel—that despite the prevalence of evil and suffering, there is potential for goodness, solidarity, and redemption.  Camus’ view is particularly relevant to the issue of cyberbullying, where efforts to create supportive online communities and promote digital literacy can help mitigate the harm caused by bullies. The novel suggests that while evil may never be entirely defeated, the fight against it is worthwhile and can lead to personal and communal growth. In the context of cyberbullying, this message encourages the development of empathy, compassion, and resilience among both victims and those who support them.

In The Plague, the citizens of Oran are physically isolated due to the quarantine, which parallels the emotional and psychological isolation experienced by victims of cyberbullying. The novel illustrates how the plague strips individuals of their humanity, reducing them to mere statistics or symbols of suffering. Camus describes the isolation experienced by the people of Oran: “The truth is that everyone is bored and devotes himself to cultivating habits. Our citizens work hard, but solely with the object of getting rich. Their chief interest is commerce, and their chief aim in life is, as they call it, 'doing business’” (2020, p. 2). This quote captures the monotony and isolation that characterize life in Oran, which is only exacerbated by the onset of the plague. Similarly, in the digital world, cyberbullying often dehumanizes its targets, reducing them to objects of ridicule or scorn rather than acknowledging them as complex individuals with feelings and dignity. The anonymity of the internet can exacerbate this dehumanization, much like how the faceless plague depersonalizes the people of Oran. The result in both cases is a profound sense of alienation and loneliness.

A central theme in The Plague is the idea of collective responsibility—how the novel's characters realize that they must act to save themselves and others. Dr. Rieux, Tarrou, and others who fight against the plague represent a moral stand against the passive acceptance of evil. Camus writes, “What's true of all the evils in the world is true of plague as well. It helps men to rise above themselves” (2020, p. 62). This statement reflects the idea that collective suffering can lead to a collective response, where individuals come together to fight against a common evil. This response can be likened to the fight against cyberbullying, where bystanders must recognize their responsibility to intervene rather than remain passive or complicit. Just as the citizens of Oran must choose between selfishness and solidarity, internet users today face the moral choice of whether to stand up against cyberbullying or ignore it. The novel challenges readers to consider their own roles in perpetuating or combating societal ills.

In conclusion, Camus’ The Plague offers a rich allegorical framework for understanding cyberbullying. Through its exploration of isolation, collective responsibility, the inevitability of suffering, the absurdity of evil, and the possibility of redemption, the novel provides insights into the dynamics of cyberbullying and how individuals and societies can respond to it. Just as the characters in The Plague must confront the reality of the disease and find meaning in their struggle, so must modern societies confront the reality of cyberbullying and work towards solutions that uphold human dignity and compassion.