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A Journal of the Plague Year · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe.

  1. Chapter 1

    A Journal of the Plague Year

    The narrator reflects on the spread of the plague through asymptomatic carriers and the tragic consequences of flight. He describes the varying symptoms of the disease, the initial lack of caution among the healthy, and the eventual widespread fear that led people to isolate. The poor are portrayed as particularly vulnerable due to necessity and reckless behavior. The chapter also recounts the story of John and his company, who fled London and set up camp in Epping Forest, negotiating with local authorities who feared they would bring the plague.

  2. Chapter 2

    Endnotes

    The endnotes provide clarifications and additional details about events and characters mentioned in the main narrative, including a fabricated military encounter, geographical notes about the Thames, and the author's burial request.