The Stranger, By Albert Camus
The Stranger by Albert Camus is a novella that focuses on the philosophy of existentialism. The story is about a young French man named Meursault living in Algiers, Algeria. He is a man that undergoes isolation from the world because of the way he lives his life. As the narrator and protagonist of the book, the readers watch Meursault build meaningless relationships, reject moral standards, and become a threat to society in the eyes of the public because of his careless decisions that derive from his beliefs. Because of Camus’ strong focus on existentialism throughout the novella, he implements the use of complex body language, such as the characters apparent obsession with watching each other, to present the tone of desperation to find importance
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So much so, that he decided to follow her out of the restaurant until he can no longer see her. The irony presented in this situation is that this lady later studies Meursault when he stands before the a jury as they await to hear the verdict of his trial. Leading up to one of the final moments of the story, during Meursault’s trial, the courtroom is filled, with everyone’s gaze concentrated on his obvious distraction. Camus then enlightens the reader that throughout The Stranger, Meursault had been constantly watched by a variety of characters. As they impatiently waited, everyone in the courtroom is ready to hear the decision that the jury has made, as they sat with anticipation, Meursault is well aware that none of this will matter in the end. Meursault, The Stranger, is the sole person in the room that is conscious of everyone’s infatuation with waiting for answers in a universe that holds no higher meaning at all.
In conclusion, the observations made by everyone in The Stranger reflect on humanity and their constant search for a grasp of something that is far larger than what their life truly amounts to. As an existentialist, Camus, was perplexed with the idea of moral standards and expectations that society obsessively values. With relation to his character’s perception throughout his novella, the presentation of the philosophy of existentialism and the incomprehensible in his novella imperatively argues against the legitimacy concerning the importance of one’s moral
So much so, that he decided to follow her out of the restaurant until he can no longer see her. The irony presented in this situation is that this lady later studies Meursault when he stands before the a jury as they await to hear the verdict of his trial. Leading up to one of the final moments of the story, during Meursault’s trial, the courtroom is filled, with everyone’s gaze concentrated on his obvious distraction. Camus then enlightens the reader that throughout The Stranger, Meursault had been constantly watched by a variety of characters. As they impatiently waited, everyone in the courtroom is ready to hear the decision that the jury has made, as they sat with anticipation, Meursault is well aware that none of this will matter in the end. Meursault, The Stranger, is the sole person in the room that is conscious of everyone’s infatuation with waiting for answers in a universe that holds no higher meaning at all.
In conclusion, the observations made by everyone in The Stranger reflect on humanity and their constant search for a grasp of something that is far larger than what their life truly amounts to. As an existentialist, Camus, was perplexed with the idea of moral standards and expectations that society obsessively values. With relation to his character’s perception throughout his novella, the presentation of the philosophy of existentialism and the incomprehensible in his novella imperatively argues against the legitimacy concerning the importance of one’s moral