Part 4: Chapter 4 Summary

During the months he has been helping in the plague relief, Paneloux has worked in hospitals and other places where he has come in contact with the plague. He has had the recommended inoculations; but from the time of the child's death, a change comes over him. He decides to preach a sermon just for men and invites the doctor to attend. The sermon is quite different from the previous one, much gentler and more thoughtful. His point this time: when an innocent child dies, one must choose between losing one's faith and sacrificing himself for it. A young priest is overheard saying that Paneloux has committed sacrilege because he has declared that it is acceptable for a priest to call a doctor.

Paneloux has been moved out of his rooms as are many others at this time, and he goes...