Albert Camus took a number of philosophy courses with Jean Grenier, a professor of aesthetics, while a student at the University of Algiers. Citing Grenier as a primary influence, Camus dedicated his first book, Betwixt and Between, to his mentor. Despite differences in belief and disposition (Grenier, a Christian pacifist, never approached politics in his metaphysics) the two maintained a steady correspondence up until the time of Camus’ death. Here, Grenier gives counsel to Camus after the critical failure of his most recent play, The State of Siege.

[Cairo] 2-19-49

My dear friend,

I thank you for L’État de siège—everything you say in it strikes a chord in me—and, I think, in a great many people. I can’t understand why the play was not successful. It is written in a very rich language, in a direct style that is striking; and the emotion must come across to both the spectator and the actor alike.

Perhaps one is disconcerted by the overlapping plague symbols: epidemic, bureaucracy, collaboration—It seems natural when you read it.

I very much like the contrast you made between the great and the “not so great” and the fact that you bring out the latter at the expense of the former. You succeeded admirably in getting both voices to speak. The scene of the judge with his wife in the 2nd part is very moving. The love dialogues are beautiful, maybe a higher tone than the others, and on a different level.

Many regards.

Won’t you come to Egypt before America? All you probably need is to want to.

Jean Grenier

Mme Salinas sent you her manuscript.

From Correspondence, 1932-1960: Albert Camus & Jean Grenier. Annotated by Marguerite Dobrenn. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 2003. p. 131.

FURTHER READING

Camus as playwright rather than philosopher.

The State of Siege and the limits of destruction.

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