The Stranger, By Albert Camus

“Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” (Camus, 3). These opening lines of The Stranger by Albert Camus gives a feeling for how the rest of the novel will continue to go. The reader’s initial reaction may be shocked. How does someone not know when their mother died and why do they not care? Albert Camus was an existentialist and wrote in such a way. Existentialism is a philosophy that focuses on the ideas of existence and not believing in a God, the freedom of choice and responsibility for those choices, and the feeling of nothing matters in the world. In The Stranger, Camus gives the philosophical ideas of existentialism shown symbolically through Meursault’s view of the world, feelings, and beliefs.

When Meursault’s
mother dies it is more of a burden to him and was happy when he was able to go back home. Even when his mother was in the home he didn’t visit her much because of all the trouble he had to go through. “ ...it took up my Sunday- not to mention the trouble of getting to the bus, buying tickets, and spending two hours traveling.” (Camus, 5). Existentialists think in the way that how we react to death has great impacts on how we live our lives (Wong). If they react in a negative way then their lives will be changed negatively (Wong). Existentialists believe that nothing really matters so Maman’s death is nothing special and nothing has changed in his life. In the second part of the novel Meursault expressed his true feelings of Maman’s death. “I probably did love Maman, but that didn't mean anything. At one time or another all normal people have wished their loved ones were dead.” (Camus, 65). The philosophy also exposes the true self of humans. It can show the selfishness and inhuman thoughts such as wishing a loved one dead. It makes readers think of things that are most important to their lives and does anything really matter in life?

Existentialists also believe that everyone has the right to choose. No matter what, it is the person making the decision that is responsible. When Meursault’s boss offers him a job in Paris he turns it down because he doesn’t see a point in moving. He couldn’t see a reason for changing his life. Another choice is made when Meursault shoots the Arab. He made that decision all by himself, there was no one around to talk him into it or out of it. Life is full of choices and he could have easily avoided the situation. With existentialism though choice no longer matters in the overall outcome. That is evident when Meursault doesn’t only shoot the Arab one time but five times total. Existentialists believe that no matter what choice you make your life will turn out the same. If Meursault would have taken the job in Paris though, he would not have been around to shoot the Arab.

While in jail Meursault is asked if he had hired an attorney, “I admitted I hadn’t and inquired whether it was really necessary to have one.” (Camus, 63).
He thought his case was simple because he had confessed to killing the Arab and was ready to pay for what he had done. Existentialists say that one should take responsibility for their actions. His lawyer then begins to ask him personal questions about Maman which he finds unnecessary. Everyone is forced to choose how to live their lives. Existential philosophy focuses heavily on that, how you decide to live your life. Like the band Rush said “if you choose not to decide, you still have made a
choice.”

Religion is another important part of existentialism.
They say that their is no God and they are on their own. While in jail Meursault is taken to see the examining magistrate. While in there the magistrate pulls out a crucifix and asks him if he believes in God. “I said no...He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him.” (Camus, 69). Throughout the rest of the investigation the magistrate calls Meursault “Monsieur Antichrist” (Camus, 71) which he hates. After the trial he is found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to death. The chaplain visits Meursault even though he has refused many times. “I said that I didn’t believe in God… I didn’t want anybody’s help, and I just didn’t have the time to interest myself in what didn’t interest me.” (Camus, 116-117). Being an existentialist Meursault says he has no time to waste on God. The chaplain told him that he would pray for him and this enraged Meursault. He told the chaplain not to waste his prayers. Some existentialists such as Søren Kierkegaard believed in a religion. Kierkegaard was a christian existentialist who said you have to take a leap of
faith.
“Nothing, nothing mattered… What did other people’s deaths or a mother’s love matter to me; what did his God or the lives people choose or the fate they think they elect matter to me when we’re all elected by the same fate…” (Camus, 121). This quote pretty much sums up the entire idea of existentialism. It shows the idea that nothing matters. It then goes to say that God does not matter to Meursault. Lastly it shows that everyone has the same fate; death. In the end of the novel Meursault accepts his death just like any existentialist would. There was no difference between life and death. Existentialism stresses that it is only through struggle and fortitude that we grow psychologically and spiritually (Wong). In Albert Camus’, The Stranger, existentialist philosophy is demonstrated through the main character Meursault’s ideas of the world, feelings, and beliefs.