How Does Albert Camus Create An Existentialism

Albert Camus’s classic novel The Stranger may be more appropriately entitled “The Island of Meursault,” reflecting the detachment, indifference and isolation of the story’s narrator and protagonist. As seen by his obscure reaction to the death of his mother in the first line of text, it becomes immediately apparent to readers that Meursault’s mindset is a bit different than that of most people. Upon closer examination, one observes that Meursault possesses an outlook rooted in existentialism. This philosophy, founded by Soren Kierkegaard, stresses the existence of the individual person creates his or her life through the choices he or she makes. As the plot of The Stranger develops, Camus skillfully presents an existential perspective on life
As World War II escalated, people were trying to come to terms with the mass slaughter of tens of millions of people. This led many thinkers around the world to question life’s meaning, one’s purpose, and how professed divine figures could allow such extreme suffering. A growing number of people reached the same conclusion existentialist that Friedrich Nietzsche had several decades earlier. God is dead. Nietzsche extrapolated that the universe is indifferent to human agony and that life is meaningless. Kierkegaard further evolved this thought, arguing one could provide meaning to his or her life through his or her decisions. In the twentieth century, theorist Jean-Paul Sartre concurred that the only true values are those one creates for himself or herself. Throughout The Stranger, Camus skillfully weaves these sentiments into the character of
As Kierkegaard said, the most consequential human activity is decision making. In Part One, Meursault agrees to write a letter to the mistress of his friend Raymond setting up an unscrupulous plot for him to take revenge for her alleged cheating. Meursault’s preferred course of action illuminates his insensitive unsympathetic nature towards such immoral behavior. Examples of Meursault’s non-action are equally important as his actions in Camus’s communication of his philosophy. For example, while many people would protest Salamano’s unwarranted violence toward his innocent dog, Meursault watches apathetically (Camus 27). Moreover, as Meursault nears his execution, he becomes increasingly decisive, taking strong actions such as choosing to engage the unwanted presence of the chaplain (Camus 120). By moving towards his death actively instead of reluctantly, Meursault seemingly finds meaning in his life. He fervently remarks that he feels free and “…ready to live it all again” (Camus 122). Camus’s unexpected transformation in Meursault’s character, who has used his power to make decisions to find meaning, places the final piece of Kierkegaard’s interpretation of