In "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman examines how the plague affected human behavior during its outbreak. Rather than fostering a sense of community and support in the face of adversity, the plague instilled fear and a desire for isolation. The horrific nature of the disease drove people apart, prioritizing self-preservation over collective unity. Tuchman emphasizes that the overwhelming loathsomeness and deadliness of the plague led individuals to seek separation from one another. This instinct to escape rather than support one another illustrates a profound impact on social interactions during times of crisis, ultimately highlighting the darker aspects of human response to suffering.

In "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman examines how the plague affected human behavior during its outbreak. Rather than fostering a sense of community and support in the face of adversity, the plague instilled fear and a desire for isolation. The horrific nature of the disease drove people apart, prioritizing self-preservation over collective unity.

Tuchman emphasizes that the overwhelming loathsomeness and deadliness of the plague led individuals to seek separation from one another. This instinct to escape rather than support one another illustrates a profound impact on social interactions during times of crisis, ultimately highlighting the darker aspects of human response to suffering.