La peste1992

Doctor Bernard Rieux:
[writing] All at once the plague's iron hand faltered. The epidemic lost to mathematical efficiency that had been its strength. Within two weeks, its power crumbled. Now the plague is retreating in disorder, allowing those condemned to death to escape their fate. It has begun to feed on others, like Tarrou, struck down in the midst of hope. We cannot claim to have defeated the plague. It has not been routed, but has only withdrawn. Perhaps because, for now, it has achieved its objectives.

Doctor Bernard Rieux:
Grand was one of those who was spared. Perhaps because fate favors those who defy it. Or because, as Tarrou said on first meeting Grand, "Where ever there are people pursuing honorable obsessions, the plague will have no future."