The Stranger Perspective

1004 Words3 Pages

The Stranger by Albert Camus constructs the book to a unique and new interpretive perspective. Having the story develop in first person perspective advances the story in a new way that could not be seen without the first person perspective. The stranger without the first person perspective portrays Meursault’s life in a particular view that does not show the whole story of what is surrounding Meursault throughout his life. The decisions, and plot developments would not reflect who Meursault truly is, if the first person perspective was not present in The Stranger. An illustration of applying first person perspective in Meursault’s life would present who truly Meursault is as a person. Discovering the ideas, life choices as who Meursault …show more content…

Understanding that Camus allows Meursault to express the thoughts through his mind to explain his personal belief on what is right from wrong in the book. Interpreting and understanding Meursault we can clearly see that Meursault is rather indifferent and detached from life. Using first person Meursault is clearer to read and understand as a person, taking life as it comes and not worrying about emotions, and relationships with those around Meursault. Becoming friends with Raymond and marrying Marie, we can visualize due to first person as to how little remorse Meursault has for the decisions taken in The Stranger. In first person Meursault shows how indifferent and detached he is with the decisions taken by Meursault. Meursault answers Marie very bluntly and is brutally honest when asked about love; “A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn’t mean anything but that I didn’t think so. She looked sad.” (Camus 35). Meursault does not understand the emotional side to Marie’s question. Detached from life brings the discovery personally for Meursault of how meaningless human life truly is. Throughout the story with the first person perspective the concept of how detached Meursault truly is, is discovered and explained as Meursault evaluates life as it develops throughout the story. Examples such as marrying Marie because there is not any reason present not to exemplifies how simple …show more content…

Without the first person perspective The Stranger is a very challenging story to comprehend, and does not give key into the thoughts and ideas of Meursault. If first person was not present throughout the story, Meursault and the decisions made by him would not be comprehended, nor would be taken into consideration into why Meursault takes the actions he does and interacts the way Meursault does. First person is a vital part for story development, character introduction and development. The story would not conclude the way it does as well, and it would not end in knowing what happens next to Meursault, for the story is based from his first person perspective. Overall first person perspective is an important part to the story and how the story

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