The definition of a perfect life has changed drastically over time. In the 21st century, one is particularly obsessed with relationships, careers and the luxury of one 's homes. Aside from the lavishness, some may encounter issues with discovering themselves. Young people especially, struggle to understand their purpose, leaving them in mini personal crisis. Knowing one’s purpose allows one to live their lives accordingly. Those who don’t know their purpose may feel that their daily lives are ridiculous. Camus’ The Stranger, portrays an inexplicably nonsensical character, Meursault, who winds up in a unanticipated situation. Similar to real life struggles, the character perpetually repeats insignificant actions not accordant to any essence. …show more content…
Although she is buried in the beginning of the book, it does not stop Meursault and others around him to remember her. During part two of the book, Meursault 's relationship with his mother is scrutinized by the those against him midst his trial. The first chapters of the book introduce Meursault 's mother through those who were able to spend time with her before she died. The first lines of this book, “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” (3), suggest that Meursault was not very close to his mother. These two sentences are the first impressions of Meursault. This point it is where readers can notice something is indeed wrong with him. The disconnection between Meursault and his mother provokes a hatred towards Meursault, especially from the prosecutor. The prosecutor argues against Meursault for his relationship with his mother than for his actual crime. Eventually, the prosecutor completes his goal of condemning Meursault to death. Before dying, Meursault heavily reflect upon his life. Although never showing signs of faith towards any certain religion, he is accused of being the antichrist and is almost forced by the chaplain to rely on god during his last moments. The chaplain tells him “Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him” (116) At the beginning of the book when Madam Meursault is being buried, Meursault is told that she wanted a religious funeral even though Meursault never remembered her as religious. “While not atheist, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion” (6). The parallel between these two quotes strengthen, to some extent, the chaplains argument. The position the chaplain is speaking of is that of near death. Unlike his mother Meursault chooses to remain without a religion. Meursault 's mother left a big impact on his life due to the way he treated
A loving elderly man who grew very close and fond of Meursault's mother at the nursing home. Thomas Perez and Madame Meursault's relationship was one of few sincere relationships that the novel illustrates and serves as an opposing view to Meursault's understanding of the world. The Chaplain- A priest who visits Meursault throughout the trial and demands that he take comfort in God.
Because of Meursault’s lack of emotion during his mother’s burial, the jury was convinced Meursault was a criminal. The jury should not have judged Meursault on his past experiences or actions, rather than the crime he committed. Some could argue Meursault was
Close Reading - The Stranger In The Stranger, Albert Camus depicts a man, Meursault, who is emotionless to the situations that surround him. After committing a murder, he gets put on trial and is deemed as a danger to society, and therefore, gets sentenced to a death sentence. However, this decision was not made due to rational reasons but from false accusations on Meursault’s character and motives. In the passage, Camus uses point of view to portray how the people in the courtroom perceived Meursault the way they wanted him to act.
What if life contributed to no meaning and the only point which matters is the existence happening during the present? To make things worse, as humans live, they breath, but as they die a salvation is received to their soul, and their existence is over. The Stranger by Albert Camus illustrates that the human soul exists in the world physically, therefore the presence or absence does not contribute to any particular event in life. Through, this thought the novel introduces Meursault, who alienates himself from society. He lacks concern for social conventions and is deprived of the physical bounding from people around him.
Camus interest in exploring “the nakedness of man faced with the absurd” was evident through the main character, Meursault as he took us through the phases
A full stream of emotional development takes place in Albert Camus book “The Stranger” and is demonstrated through the protagonist, Meursault. From the beginning the audience realizes the lack of empathy in Meursault and watches as his morals start to develop and take place. The book starts with his mother dying, a tragic event that normally puts people through great grief and pain. For Meursault though, it’s nothing more than an inconvenient take off work.
The Stranger, written by Albert Camus, It follows the story of our tragic hero, Meursault, shortly after his mother dies through the events that lead to him being sentenced to death. Camus uses the motif of weather to express Meursault’s emotions. The Stranger shows how even when a person does not explicitly express emotion they are shown in some way. How emotions are expressed is a window to a person's personality. I will first discuss how Meursault appears emotionless, than how Camus uses the motif of weather to express Meursault’s emotions for him and lastly what impact this makes.
At the beginning of the book Meursault showed lack of feeling at Maman’s funeral, drinks coffee and smokes next to his mother’s coffin, which shows disrespect to his mother. Psychological reasons for him showing no remorse is the he is a sociopath. Behaviors of sociopath include antisocial attitudes and behaviors and a lack of a conscience. Sociopaths have very little true feelings towards others and can treat them as an object. The effects of their behavior come across as evil even though that is not their intention.
Overall he leads an indifferent life which results in poor and meaningless relationships with people such as his mother, girlfriend, and neighbours. Meursault lacks emotion and compassion, because of this he doesn’t react to anything negative in his life and remains
He wrote his novel L'Étranger or The Stranger as a vehicle for his philosophy. The Novel follows the story of Meursault before and after he murders a man in French Algiers. Meursault is the primary way existentialism and absurdism are displayed in the novel. In his Novel The Stranger, Camus uses indirect characterization in Mersault’s interactions as well as his internal dialogue to display
The magistrate replied, “It was impossible, all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him” (Camus 69). Even though the magistrate tried all he can to convince Meursault to believe the fact that God existed and everybody believed in Him, Meursault still did not comply to believing in the existence of God. Moreover, Meursault’s behaviour was also different from social norms from the society. Camus uses his clever skills of writing to make the reader and the society see the lifestyle of an outsider and how he is a danger to the society. Camus uses Meursault to suggest how society
He viewed his everyday routine as repetitive and meaningless, and felt no empathy for anyone. This lack of empathy convinced the court of his guilt. Meursault could have defended himself by claiming self defense, but he saw no difference in dying now or dying later. Both Meursault’s story and Camus’ view on life display the depressing views of existentialism.
“Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” (3) Almost any person whose mother has just died would know what day it was, so it is interesting that Meursault says this. At this point, the opening line of the novel, the
That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday,” (Camus pg 1). This quote shows one of Meursault’s most important traits, his emotional indifference. He does not feel remorse upon learning that his mother has just
As the French, absurdist philosopher Albert Camus once said, “Being different is not a bad thing. It means you are brave enough to be yourself.” That summed up with our topic, which is absurdity through human existence, a human being should tolerate the absurd condition of human existence. Albert Camus introduces Meursault the protagonist and narrator of the book The Stranger, who is a stranger through society eyes and the title point out his personality in the world of absurdity. Meursault is indifferent and alienates young man to others.