Part 2: Chapter 5 Summary

Rambert continues to try unsuccessfully to make his case to the powers-that-be for his own escape from the town. He goes through a phase of despondency, which reflects the atmosphere among the townspeople. They come out to cafés at night wearing expressions of deep depression.

Part 2: Chapter 5 Analysis

This chapter adds little to the action except to bring the reader up to date on the ongoing efforts of Rambert to escape. The despondency of the people underscores Camus's feeling that isolation is a major factor in the misery the people are experiencing.