The Truthfulness of Meursault in The Stranger

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Meursault is truthful to himself and others throughout The Stranger. Unlike most, he doesn’t feel it necessary to lie in order to make others feel better. He is truthful, regardless of whether or not the truth may hurt. For example, in chapter four Marie asked Meursault if he loved her. Instead of lying to her or giving a vague answer Meursault told her that he probably didn’t love her, but it wasn’t important anyway.

Meursault is truthful, therefore not only is his guilt dealt with at the murder trial, but his personal views and opinions come out as well. In fact, during the trial his lack of emotion about his mother’s death seemed to be of more importance than the murder he committed. From this it seems that truth is a crime and that Meursault is being punished for having non-conventional opinions.

Meursault’s lawyer predicted that his mother’s death would be widely touched upon throughout the trial. He asked Meursault if he had felt sadness on the day of his mother’s funeral. To this Meursault was very taken aback. He wasn’t used to dealing with his emotions and said that “physical needs often get in the way of my feelings.” He explained that on the day of the funeral he was very tired, but “What I can say for certain is that I would rather Maman hadn’t died.” After this, the lawyer asked Meursault if he could say that on the day of his mother’s funeral he had simply been holding back his natural feelings. Meursault responded that he could not say that because it wasn’t true.

While in prison awaiting his execution, Meursault argues with the chaplain about God. During the argument, Meursault finally accepts his own personal truth. He realizes his belief that life has no meaning. According to him, it doesn...

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...er all normal people have wished their loved ones were dead.” Such a blunt statement would be considered pure callousness by most people.

Aside from his strange relationship with his mother, Meursault also has a strange indifference towards his “girlfriend” Marie. He is honest with her about that fact that he probably doesn’t love her. His interest in her is almost purely physical. When she asked him if he wanted to get married, however, he was not opposed. “I said it didn’t make any difference to me and we could if she wanted to.” At this point Marie asked Meursault once more if he loved her. He responded as before, telling her that he probably didn’t. This made her wonder why he would marry her if he didn’t love her. He said that it really didn’t matter.

Marie then comments that Meursault is peculiar, but that was probably the reason she loved him.

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