“The Stranger” was written by Albert Camus as an interpretation of the illustrations of the absurdist world during the war in Paris. He uses the connection of “Existentialism is a Humanism” because Meursault, the protagonist, reacts differently to every scenario, rather than acting like a normal, sympathetic human being. He has trouble defining his essence and developing emotional connections with society. The definition of a stranger is a person who is described to be unaware or not familiar with one’s surroundings. A stranger could also be defined as a person who is entirely unaccustomed to a feeling, situation, or situation. In my personal opinion, Meursault is estranged from himself, and society. He has a personal connection with nature, …show more content…
Meursault seems to be much interested in the world around him, such as the physical aspects rather any emotional connection. I believe Meursault uses nature as an excuse to escape reality. There are many scenes where he much more interested in his surroundings such as the sky, the weather, or the sun. The author wrote the book in this style to give his readers the thought that there is no higher existence and there is no specific meaning to human life. This connects back to “Existentialism is a Humanism” by Jean-Paul Sartre. Meursault focuses the majority of his attention on things that physically affect his body, the physical relationship with Marie, weather, and anything else that seems to be conspicuous. For example, when Maman was buried, Meursault was very bothered by the heat but he felt no remorse towards his mother. “The Sun was beginning to bear down on the earth and it was getting hotter by the minute … I was hot in my dark clothes.” (Camus …show more content…
He is charged as guilty, but refuses to say anything or defend himself. He goes on with his life, without fear of the consequences of being in jail. Meursault does not feel contentment nor misery. This also connects to the concept of “Existentialism is Humanism” because we believe everything that was placed on this earth has a personal value. “Thus the paper-knife is at the same time an article producible in a certain manner and one which, on the other hand, serves a definite purpose, for one cannot suppose that a man would produce a paper-knife without knowing what it was for.” (Sartre) This proves that even the simplest of things, such as a paper knife, truly still have essence and a purpose. The essence of Meursault may be different from everyone else’s but I don't believe it’s inaccurate. Meursault finds no inspiration whatsoever to become an emotional attached man
Meursault does not appear to be estranged from himself because he remains true to his own morals. He continues to stand his ground, even when society is against him. Meursault was a primitive person, but even when he remained in jail he did not even change his bizarre beliefs. Even when Meursault acknowledged the fact that he was sentenced to death, he did not turn to God. He didn’t believe in any religion. He claims he did not have time for religion and thought it wasn’t necessary. Meursault believed that people were privileged, but were promised
He, however, seemed question his presence because the death of his mom or even from the absence of his father—the fairly dynamic that every child should have (both parents present). In chapter two Meursault found himself alone in his apartment as Marie had left for work earlier that morning. In this section he explains that, “After lunch I was a little bored and I wandered around the apartment” (21). In this quote, Meursault demonstrates just how meaningless is life is. To have nothing more to do with his time than walk around his apartment shows that Meursault is questioning his place in this world. He is a man with virtually only two friends—Raymond and Marie—and a neighbor that he associates with on occasion about his dog. As he wanders the apartment he explains that he lives, “in just one room now” (21), one that he literally put his dining table in so that he could eat in his room. This quote symbolizes his loneliness as a person. Not only is the apartment too big for him, the world is too, and his is basically alone in both. For some reason—maybe a tragedy or trauma that he faced in earlier years—Meursault has closed himself off from the world and does not express love for anyone or anything. In fact, Meursault made a statement about the death of his mother saying that, “at one time or another, all normal people have wished their loved ones were dead" (65). At this point in the story, I think that Meursault may not have had the best family dynamic. He does not speak of anyone else but Maman, and mentions a father that he does not know. So, he may not feel like he belongs or does not know how to. He also explains that, “it was one of Maman’s ideas, and she often repeated it, that after a while you could get used to anything” (77). This quote could explain the fact that Meursault is closed off—he has gotten so used to not having anyone around that truly cares for him (his
Meursault is a fairly average individual who is distinctive more in his apathy and passive pessimism than in anything else. He rarely talks because he generally has nothing to say, and he does what is requested of him because he feels that resisting commands is more of a bother than it is worth. Meursault never did anything notable or distinctive in his life: a fact which makes the events of the book all the more intriguing.
I know my subject by his first name only, Maynard, by listening to his frequent conversations with his close friend Rolando I have discovered they enjoy talking about alcoholic beverages, movies, and video games among other things. He is of average height and a slim build with frizzy short black hair and wears glasses.
Since he cares little for the affairs of the world, claiming they do not mean anything, then justice—a major concern of the world—also means nothing to him. His actions both before and after his decision to kill a man without provocation demonstrate his apathetic view of the world, and his indifference to justice. Therefore Meursault’s search for justice, culminated by the court’s decision to execute him, remains an example to all of the inability of society to instill justice in criminals. Meursault’s perpetual refusal to acquire a sense of morality and emotion instigates skepticism in all who learn of his story of society’s true ability to instill justice in the
Meursault resists being typecast into an archetypal moral category in many of his deeds and actions. Many of his actions in Part One of the novel help contribute to the fuzzy picture of the character. For example, at his mother's funeral, Meursault does not cry or weep in the typical mourning fashion, but rather sleeps during the vigil and entices one of the other mourners present to smoke a cigarette with him. This would be typically considered "evil" behavior, in the context of the story. He could easily been seen as disrespectful and seditious toward his mother and the established procedures of mourning, which seem to be fairly definite at that era in France. However, this "evil" mold can easily be shaken if one considers that Meursault may be more shaken than anyone else present at the funeral. Considering the other events in the novel, it seems as though he does not have a large capacity for emotion. Based on this, it is not unreasonable to assume that the events leading up to and including his mother's death may have overtaxed his limited scope of emotion, and he was therefore nearly incapable of mourning in the "normal" or expected way for his mother, but rather had to resort to his own, more c...
Meursault doesn’t conform to society such as understanding what we would call normal human emotions such as the emotions of love or death. The reason Meursault may seem disconnected from the felling of love is shown when his girlfriend ask about marriage. Meursault answers without caring by saying “it doesn’t make any difference to me and that we could if she wanted to” (Camus, 156). Meursault also show the disconnection of normal human emotions after his mother’s death. “… Maman’s death, but that was one of those things that was bound to happen sooner or later” (Camus, 123).
Print. The. Political philosophies, religious dogma, and societal beliefs are absolutely irrelevant to my existence. I believe that society can be extremely flawed and people should stand up and rebel against it. I created Meursault to be the epitome of someone who strays from social norms, even though he still has to face some particular consequences.
Meursault also only speaks when he feels as if he has too and has no interest in having connections/emotion relationships with others. When asked by Marie, his girlfriend, if he loved her he simply replied by explaining that “it didn’t mean anything and that [he] didn’t think so” (Camus 35) which shows the lack of care and/or interest in his relationship. This can also be seen when he is having a conversation with Raymond Sintes, his neighbor. When asked to be pals Meursault “didn’t say anything, and [Raymond] asked [him] again…[He] said it was fine” (Camus 29).
At first glance, Meursault could be seen as an evil man. He shows no grief at his mother’s funeral, worrying more about the heat. His first reaction to his mother’s death is not sadness, it is a matter-of-fact, unemotional acceptance of the situation. “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” Later on in the story, Meursault kills an Arab on the beach, and his only concern is that he has ruined the calm, pleasant day he was having. When he is in jail, the magistrate comes in an attempt to save Meursault’s soul, but instead of cooperating, Meursault simply confounds the magistrate by refusing to believe in God. Even at his trial, Meursault doesn’t show any remorse for having killed the Arab. Based on this evidence alone, how can we not see Meursault as evil?
During the first half of the novel, we see many examples of Meursault’s freedom and how he exercises it. He does what he wants, when he wants to with no regard to how he affects the people around him. Meursault lives his life with no restrictions. He is his own boss. Relaxed and free.
Meursault lives an average life, but one important factor in the story is that he does not seem to express his emotions. Some of his character traits could label Meursault as an existentialist because he does not care about anything except physical things. When his mother died, many other people were crying, but all Meursault worried about was the heat. He is very honest as well, and he does not try to cover up the fact that he did not cry during his mother’s funeral.... ...
...according to him, a man who is morally guilty of killing his mother severs himself from society in the same way as a man who raises a murderous hand against the father who begat him.” This quote is telling how society input their feelings and ideas onto Meursault. The persecutor compares Meursault emotionless and lack on remorse for his killing the same as a person killing their own father. Society believes Meursault as an emotionless killer or a stranger to society’s morality, Meursault then can’t explain why he couldn’t feel any emotion, drives, or thoughts of remorse for his murder. Lastly, when the chaplain visits Meursault against his wishes, this scene showed how society expects everyone to ask for forgiveness from god when near death. Meursault then thinks it is absurd and refused to believe in him because he says it’s ridiculous and there’s no time at all.
When Meursault is actually exiled from those around him, and is thrown in jail is when he realizes emotions and the idea of freedom. In the beginning of the story the Meursault demonstrates lack of emotions, detachment, and
Every character that revolves around Meursault seems to be in direct contrast to him. Meursault is an amoral person who does not seem to care passionately about anything. He acts in accordance with physical desires. In other words, Meursault is a sensualist person. At this particular time in his life, his path crosses with his neighbor, Raymond, who feels as though his girlfriend is cheating on him. He decides to take revenge with minor aid form Meursault. Meursault helps him only because he thinks he has nothing to lose if he does. As things lead into one another, the first major violent act of the book is committed.
Meursault is distant from set plans, ambitions, desires, love, and emotions in general. He has a difficult time with emotions such as regret and compassion. The reader sees the nature of his personality in the first few lines of the novel: "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know." When he hears of the death of his mother through a telegram, he is unattached, and can be considered uncaring.