Analysis of Camus' The Outsider

In the essay "Camus' The Outsider," Jean-Paul Sartre explains that Camus' book is more of an 'experience of the absurd' for readers than a 'novel' because it uses literary approaches to identify and clarify the absurdity of life. He then defines the absurd, people's reaction to it, and the narrative technique Camus uses.

According to Jean Sartre, the absurd is both a 'state of fact' and what people obtain from this 'state of fact'. He is also the man who does not hesistate to draw the inevitable conclusions from a fundamental absurdity.The writer shows us that Meursault, the protagonist, is rather absurd because unlike any other rational person, he does not regret his mother's death and instead of mourning he goes to watch a comedy movie and befriends Marie and goes on living as if nothing has happened. In addition, Mearsault is also happy after killing the Arab and after going to jail which made people further believe he is a "poor fool", but on the other hand people with a greater insight say, "He's innocent." He believes that God does not exist, and therefore life is meaningless. Thus life is absurd and additionally Meursault's connections and his relationships with human beings becomes absurd. Meursault's absurd behaviour shocks people because he does not do what he is expected to do, but detaches himself from reality and goes against social conventions and disobeys social code. For example, he did not cry on his mother's death although people are expecting him to behave differently in such a situation.

The word absurd describes humanity's attempt to find rational order were none exist. Camus however, does not explicitly refer to the notion of absurdity, but absurdity operates within the novel. The Outsider is momentary and unjustifiable since Camus never explains but describes, and does not include any justifications. Meursault never has any reasons for his actions, such as his decision to marry Marie or kill the Arab. Society struggles to find rational explanations to Meursault's irrational actions. Yet Meaursault is known for his reluctance to indulge in words, leaving the readers unable to judge nor comprehend the protagonist.

The absurd man is meant to reject everything he is not certain of. He will not want to die but becomes more willing to live in the present since everything is lawful because there is no God. Camus also focuses on the significance of the physical aspects of life and shows how Meursault is not interested in the social and emotional aspects.