Meursault As A Hero Essay

"The Stranger," and "The Myth of Sisyphus," are two greatest writings of Albert Camus where he opens the existentialistic parts of philosophy to his readers. Actually, in his works, the existentialism forms the main characters and determines how they will react to the world around them. Moreover, "The Myth of Sisyphus" can be interpreted as an attempt to explain the world outlook presented in "The Stranger", while "The Stranger" with its protagonist can be viewed as an illustration of the absurd hero presented in "The Myth of Sisyphus". Consequently, the main purpose of this essay is to determine whether Meursault is a real villian or a just a stranger to the whole society and, eventually, a hero in Camus’ "The Stranger".
Meursault is presented by Albert Camus as an existential hero due to the fact that he differs from conventional society. This character is deeply troubled since he is unable to associate himself with his
They both are absurd heroes. Actually, Absurdism is the version of Existentialism presented by Camus. Both of these characters remain in apparently hopeless and absurd situations and prefer to accept their beings by finding a meaning for themselves. "You have already grasped that Sisyphus is the absurd hero. He is, as much through his passions as through his torture" (Camus). Tragically , Sisyphus is aware of his pointless existence, embraces the otioseness and with contempt pushes the rock up the hill attempting to create his own meaning. In the same way, Meursault, contempts the trial and society as a whole and prefers remaining a stranger. He stays true to himself since any true meaning that may come to him must originate from himself, not from any social laws and norms, and it does not matter for him what end of such attitude will be for him. Both Meursault and Sisyphus are tragic heroes, until the very end they are strangers to everybody but