Burch has taught at Southeastern Louisiana University and at the University of Michigan. In the following essay, she examines "The Guest" in relation to Camus's philosophical ideas and with reference to postcolonial criticism.

Camus best-known short story, "The Guest" is also notoriously subject to conflicting interpretations. Virtually all critics recognize the tale as obscure and enigmatic. Some of this is certainly part of Camus' artistic intent. He worked on the story for at least two years, and continued to revise it right up until the publication date. Some, including perhaps Camus himself have regarded the stories in Exile and the Kingdom as transitional works, or explorations of themes to be treated more fully in novels to come. Certainly Camus' philosophy and political thought were still developing, and he never lived to see or make sense of the end of the Algerian War and the establishment of an...