Part 4: Chapter 1 Summary

Through September and October, the town barely makes it through the days, and Rieux and his friends begin to realize the depths of their exhaustion. They simply go through the motions, not reading newspapers or listening to radio, indifferent to what is happening around them. Grand is showing signs of strain. Unexpectedly, even to himself, Rieux unburdens himself to Grand about his wife. He has called the house physician at the sanatorium, who has told him that her condition has worsened. He feels that he might have been able to help her had he been there.

Dr. Castel is also showing signs of extreme fatigue although he has produced the long-awaited serum. Rieux realizes that his job is no longer to cure but only to diagnose. There is no longer any sentimentality left in him. Instead of giving people medications to...