The Stranger

Meursault is characterized as a detached and emotionless character, which reflects the idea of existentialism in The Stranger by Albert Camus. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes freedom to choose, and make choices without outside influences. This can be shown throughout the novel, as Meursault makes choices in his everyday life. An existentialist must accept the consequences to their decisions. Meursault is an example of an existentialist. He has a fervor for truth, because of this he is an outcast. People such as Perez, the warden, or the prosecutor cannot face or understand the truths that he comprehends. Meursault has an indifference to others and their feelings, and stands out in contrast to the rest of the world. He does not
Such as, when Marie asks if he would marry her, "I said I didn’t mind; if she was keen on it, we’d get married" (Camus, 28). Meursault’s statement shows that he does not seem to care at all about whether or not he loves Marie, only if she was “keen on it”. This highlights the characteristic of an existentialist because he feels that it is meaningless, he does not understand the point of marriage and does not care much. “I said that sort of question had no meaning, really; but I supposed I didn’t (Camus, 24). He feels that love does not matter and that it holds no meaning. He feels that, that type of question, is not important enough to have to think about. This follows the existential philosophy because he sees life as several meaningless events that give no purpose to existence. He is indifferent on all topics, whether it be domestic abuse, animal abuse or killing a
Throughout the novel, his mother's death had no meaning to him. When she died, he is more focused on when she died more than the fact that she died. Meursault keeping track of time is another existential idea because an existentialist always keeps track of time. “Existence precedes essence and time is of the essence”(Sartre). Meursault drank coffee and smoked at his mother's funeral. He went swimming the very next day, after his mother's funeral and even started to date Marie. He was not ashamed of the actions he displayed, and did not understand as to why they were a problem. “And now, it seemed to me, I understood why at her life’s end she had taken on a “fiancé”; why she’d played at making a fresh start” (Camus, 75). Meursault’s remark displays that it was only until he is given the death sentence, where he finally realizes what it must have felt like for her to be close to death and wanting to have a new