The Stranger Meursault
How does Meursault manifest the belief that much of life is absurd?
In the stranger, Albert Camus makes his existential disposition quite apparent through his protagonist, Meursault. Meursault describes social situations and his emotions with short, concise, direct sentences leading the reader to believe that he does not care much for life outside the physical aspects. This lack of emotion is countered by descriptive details and great care for Meursault's physical condition. Right out of the gate, we see that Meursault is "not all there". His first words to the reader are, "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know." These words are tossed about with such a casual tone, it seems as though Meursault is talking about something
much less important. He goes into more detail about the bus he is going to take and the reasons for this decision, than he does his mother's death. To Meursault, it almost seems like an inconvenience for his mother to have died. He describes how he had to call off work and how his boss was upset at him, how he went to eat and how everyone felt sorry for him and because of this, he had to run so he did not miss the bus. He elaborates in great detail the steps he takes to get to his mother, though only mentions his mourning as a way to make his boss "cool down".
Another prime example of Meursault's "pointless" point of view is his description of Thomas Perez during the funeral march. He describes such a minute thing as Thomas Perez's physical ailment with such detail that it seems that it would serve some philosophical purpose. Many authors describe nature or physical happenings and connect them to human nature, but Camus, on the other hand, merely brings them about in a mildly ironic way. He builds this great focus on one man's condition only for it to end just as it started, with a man and his handicap.
Even in something that would seem to bring joy or caring, Meursault wrings out all emotion leaving only the physical aspect of it. His first encounter with Marie seems to show some beginnings of emotion when he says, "On the back of my neck I could feel Marie's heart beating softly." This quote sounds mildly romantic leading us to think he may show some emotion evoked from his love. Yet, true to form, Meursault proves again that he does not show emotion. In the same paragraph he merely continues to describe what he did with Marie.
Later in the novel, after contemplating his inevitable death, he makes a humongous revelation as far as his time left on Earth is concerned; He concludes that his death makes little difference if it is now by execution or years later by natural causes. He comes to this conclusion when he lashes out at the chaplain for his attempt to bring God into Meursault's life. He concludes that the only certain thing in the entire human existence is its end.
Camus may deny that he was an existentialist but it became infinitely apparent once the reader reads the first few paragraphs. Whether he is with friends, at work, with a sweetheart or at his mother's funeral, Meursault was always talking about his physical condition or his "to-do list". He never seems to be totally focused on the task at hand. Meursault never comes to see that life is more than just physical sensations and something that can be enjoyable and not only monotonous.
In the stranger, Albert Camus makes his existential disposition quite apparent through his protagonist, Meursault. Meursault describes social situations and his emotions with short, concise, direct sentences leading the reader to believe that he does not care much for life outside the physical aspects. This lack of emotion is countered by descriptive details and great care for Meursault's physical condition. Right out of the gate, we see that Meursault is "not all there". His first words to the reader are, "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know." These words are tossed about with such a casual tone, it seems as though Meursault is talking about something
much less important. He goes into more detail about the bus he is going to take and the reasons for this decision, than he does his mother's death. To Meursault, it almost seems like an inconvenience for his mother to have died. He describes how he had to call off work and how his boss was upset at him, how he went to eat and how everyone felt sorry for him and because of this, he had to run so he did not miss the bus. He elaborates in great detail the steps he takes to get to his mother, though only mentions his mourning as a way to make his boss "cool down".
Another prime example of Meursault's "pointless" point of view is his description of Thomas Perez during the funeral march. He describes such a minute thing as Thomas Perez's physical ailment with such detail that it seems that it would serve some philosophical purpose. Many authors describe nature or physical happenings and connect them to human nature, but Camus, on the other hand, merely brings them about in a mildly ironic way. He builds this great focus on one man's condition only for it to end just as it started, with a man and his handicap.
Even in something that would seem to bring joy or caring, Meursault wrings out all emotion leaving only the physical aspect of it. His first encounter with Marie seems to show some beginnings of emotion when he says, "On the back of my neck I could feel Marie's heart beating softly." This quote sounds mildly romantic leading us to think he may show some emotion evoked from his love. Yet, true to form, Meursault proves again that he does not show emotion. In the same paragraph he merely continues to describe what he did with Marie.
Later in the novel, after contemplating his inevitable death, he makes a humongous revelation as far as his time left on Earth is concerned; He concludes that his death makes little difference if it is now by execution or years later by natural causes. He comes to this conclusion when he lashes out at the chaplain for his attempt to bring God into Meursault's life. He concludes that the only certain thing in the entire human existence is its end.
Camus may deny that he was an existentialist but it became infinitely apparent once the reader reads the first few paragraphs. Whether he is with friends, at work, with a sweetheart or at his mother's funeral, Meursault was always talking about his physical condition or his "to-do list". He never seems to be totally focused on the task at hand. Meursault never comes to see that life is more than just physical sensations and something that can be enjoyable and not only monotonous.