In the final chapter
of Albert Camus' The Fall,
Jean-Baptiste
begins to narrate his life during World War II. He spoke very fondly
of his career and how humbly he lived in Paris. He talked of his life
lived in debauchery whilst in his crisis, and now he finds himself
speaking about the remaining time in Amsterdam, or “the circles of
hell”.
While
Jean-Baptiste was captured and held captive by the Germans in Africa,
he met a man by whom he referred to as Du Guesclin. Du Guesclin lost
his faith in the Catholic Church, but still believed there should be
a pope. Not the type of pope who prayed on the throne, but lived
among the wretched (125). In order to find this new pope the man who
was chosen had to be of the most failings (125). “As a joke, I
raised my hand and was the only one to do so... the others agreed, in
fun, but with a trace of seriousness all the same” (125). This
reference reestablishes that even though Jean-Baptiste thought it
might be a joke, it turns out his past really proves him to be the
one with the most failings. His life's plan had all but failed
therefore he should remain the pope.
In
the next interesting piece of the final chapter, Jean-Baptiste
declares to his guest that he has in his possession a famous
fifteenth century painting known as The
Just Judges.
He goes about telling the man how he came into possession of it, and
though he had not been the one to steal it, he still felt as if the
blame should land on him. The
Just Judges
is his method of explaining how he is a “judge-penitent”.
Jean-Baptiste's argument comes down to how there is a hope of finding
freedom. A freedom that may be found only if one gives up oneself to
something greater than their own (132). Jean-Baptiste believes that
his work is to teach others such as his guest and those who come to
Mexico City that their freedom would be reach if they met their
unconditional guilt.
In
the end, Jean-Baptiste wishes only to replay what has happened in the
past (147). He would like for nothing more than to jump in after the
girl knowing it would be too late. His ending has a unique
exclamation; he feels as though being too late is fortunate. Perhaps
he feels this way because his misery and suffering would not exist if
he ceased to live.
In some sense, despite the lack of good and right morality, I understand Clamence's point of view in that he feels it is fortunate to be too late. In trying to save one life, he could have ended his own life by trying to save her. Or even worse, they both could have died. And all the experiences, pain, joy, and memories as a unique individual would have gone to waste.
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