Hurray for Funerals

            In Camus’ The Fall, Clamence believes that people are compelled to behave in certain ways to fill the void left by a lack of excitement; essentially as a response to boredom.  These behaviors may be expressed by crimes, or through abuses of others, or even in very benign acts, like death, which are no one’s fault, exactly.  However, we are all to blame somewhat for our ravenous need for such events to occur around us.  He says towards the end of the chapter: “Something must happen- and that explains most human commitments.  Something must happen, even loveless slavery, even war or death” (The Fall 37). 

            He goes on throughout his conversation with a fellow bar patron to discuss his profession as a judge-penitent.  He appears to have an almost fanatical need to help people that he satisfies professionally by assisting widows and orphans to receive proper care by law (17).  However, he also expresses a need to help the elderly or blind cross the street- among a multitude of other behaviors- that he seems to perform compulsively (21).  Clamence seems very confident in his good deeds for others, both professionally and recreationally.  He also repeatedly mentions how satisfied he feels having found such a fulfilling vocation, knowing that he is really changing people’s lives for the better, yet it seems that he spends every night in the bar where his story begins, describing gin as the only comfort he has in the dark city (12).  He looks to other people both as ants, which he can only look down on from above, and as silhouettes dreamily walking through life (14). He even describes his position in the justice system as one where he does not need to be punished or punish others, so he remains in a position of power, untouched (27).  He seems to want to believe he loves helping people as much as he claims, yet it may be just something to fill the void just like all other events in life.

            Clamence explains that after living a life where he is constantly stimulated, the only thing that can excite him anymore is death.  He believes that when being notified of an acquaintance’s death, although one is momentarily saddened, there is more of an excitement awakened in them.  This death, and the presence of a funeral create drama and a narrative in the monotony of their life.  There is somewhere to go, a prospect that is hardly ever ignored.  Even if the recently deceased was not important to them, they still must visit, to witness the event (34).

            He describes funerals and death as those things that satisfy people’s cravings; things which need to happen in life in order to keep people living, otherwise people need to create an event, be it war or slavery, or the beating of their spouse (37).  Why is it that a simple life cannot suffice in any culture in any time?  Clearly, the repetition of those three examples Clamence gives exist time and time again, so why is it that we must create excitement where boredom exists, even when it seems to perpetuate more pain?