The Stranger can be understood as an ironic commentary on racism and religion by interpreting Meursault's death as both punishment and salvation. Although Albert Camus never provides a specific motive for Meursault's killing the Arab, it is implied that, as a man of French heritage, Meursault does not assign equal value to the Arab's life. Similarly, religion is a possible factor in his apparently unreasonable violence. Meursault is not religious, but it is possible that he is acting out of prejudice against Muslims. Meursault's stance is often analyzed as representing the colonial attitude toward colonized subjects.

After Meursault is convicted, he still resists all efforts to accept a religious path or falsely state repentance he does not feel. He rails against the chaplain and God. The irony of his position becomes evident at the very end. Only by confronting his own death does he gain insight into the meaning of life, which allows him to become a sacrificial, Christlike figure.