Character Relationship Map: The Plague

Characters

• Doctor Bernard Rieux (played by William Hurt) — protagonist

  A physician who sends his sick wife away and dedicates himself to caring for plague victims, viewing the epidemic as a disease to be cured.

• Joseph Grand (played by Robert Duvall) — protagonist
• Cottard (played by Raúl Juliá) — supporting
• Martine Rambert (played by Sandrine Bonnaire) — supporting
• Jean Tarrou (played by Jean-Marc Barr) — supporting
• Alicia Rieux (played by Victoria Tennant) — supporting

  The wife of Dr. Rieux who is sent away due to her illness to protect her from the spreading plague.

• Dr. Horacio (played by Atilio Veronelli) — supporting
• Miguel (played by Francisco Cocuzza) — supporting
• Miguel's Wife (played by Laura Palmucci) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Miguel's Wife → Miguel (wife)
• Jean Tarrou → Martine Rambert (Romantic Interest) — Developing relationship during the plague crisis
• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Miguel (Professional Treating Physician) — Caring for the young plague victim
• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Dr. Horacio (Professional Medical Colleague) — Collaborating in medical response to the plague
• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Martine Rambert (Professional Contact) — Interacting with journalist covering the plague
• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Cottard (Professional Doctor-Patient) — Treating Cottard who becomes involved in the plague response
• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Joseph Grand (Professional Colleague) — Medical professionals working together to fight the plague
• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Alicia Rieux (Family Husband) — Married couple separated by the plague

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Doctor Bernard Rieux → Jean Tarrou (Alliance Ally) — Working together to combat the plague outbreak

Story Analysis

An approaching plague transforms a city's medical emergency into a crisis of isolation, interpretation, and moral reflection.

Plot Progression

1. A City Under Threat — A South American city faces the imminent outbreak of a plague. Many people try to escape as the danger becomes increasingly clear.
2. Duty Amid Separation — A doctor sends his sick wife away but remains in the city. He begins caring for victims of the plague despite the worsening crisis.
3. Competing Interpretations — French journalists treat the plague as breaking news, while religious leaders view it as punishment for sins. The disease acquires several conflicting meanings.
4. The Weight of Isolation — Isolation and hopelessness grow throughout the city. The doctor and his associates begin questioning accepted ideas about justice, loneliness, and love.