Themes: Absurdity
Absurdity is a philosophical notion that often emerges when someone is jolted from their repetitive routine. Camus discusses this in “An Absurd Reasoning” from his essay collection The Myth of Sisyphus:
The stage sets sometimes crumble. Daily routines like waking up, commuting, spending hours at the office or factory, eating, commuting again, working, dining, sleeping, and repeating this cycle from Monday to Saturday are usually followed without question. But eventually, the question of “why” arises, sparking a sense of weariness tinged with astonishment.
This depiction aligns well with the character of Meursault. While the essay collection delves into the philosophy of absurdity, the novel brings the theory to life.
Meursault's life is a seamless cycle of repetition. However, this tranquility is gradually disrupted by the world's events, leading to a collapse. The death of his mother removes a fundamental source of stability. His relationship with Marie, who questions his feelings, begins to challenge his sense of secure detachment. Raymond pressures him into friendship. The disappearance of Salamano’s dog interrupts a parallel routine. He commits murder, and the law demands his execution. Each minor disturbance to Meursault’s pursuit of indifferent stability propels him toward a mental crisis. This crisis resolves when he comprehends the profound meaninglessness of his individual existence within the broader mystery of society. Only through this lens do the events of his story make sense. Any alternative explanation would lead him towards theology—embodied by the chaplain—or destiny.
According to Camus’s humanist reasoning, neither theology nor destiny can provide rational individuals (like Meursault, who rely solely on pure logic to contemplate life’s dilemmas) a justification for the senseless actions humans undertake—such as war, murder, and other heinous deeds. The alternative, therefore, is absurdity. Meursault acknowledges the “truth” that life lacks inherent meaning. This implies that life is simply what one makes of it while being aware of two certainties—existence and death. By embracing this perspective, Camus suggests, one would maintain traditional human values because they safeguard one’s life. Essentially, human values (what we now know as “human rights”) result in the greatest happiness for the largest number. When one genuinely accepts this reality, one can achieve happiness. Unfortunately, Meursault is executed before he can live in this enlightened manner.
Expert Q&A
Why does Meursault in The Stranger desire a crowd of angry spectators at his execution, and what impact does this have on the ending?
"I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate."
In the last sentence of The Stranger, Meursault wishes for a crowd of angry spectators to appear at his execution because it will confirm him in his outsider status. The impact of the ending is meant to be shocking, to show us how it is still possible to be free even on the brink of execution.
In The Stranger, why is Meursault not given a first name, age, or physical features?
In Albert Camus' The Stranger, Meursault lacks a first name, age, or physical features to emphasize his detachment from societal norms and his existentialist existence. As an absurdist character, Meursault's lack of identity symbolizes his disconnection from the world and indifference to social conventions. This anonymity further underscores his role as a modern 'everyman', living in a world devoid of meaning, where events occur without sense or purpose.
What does Meursault realize from the quote in The Stranger about the "benign indifference of the world"?
"I looked up at the mass of signs and stars in the night sky and laid myself open for the first time to the benign indifference of the world."
Meursault realizes that the universe is indifferent, and this brings him peace. After rejecting social and religious influences, he finds solace in living authentically. He acknowledges his crime but not as a sin, valuing his mortal life and its certainties. This acceptance of the universe's indifference makes him feel liberated and connected to its impartial nature.
In Albert Camus's The Stranger, is Meursault on trial for his actions or his eccentric character?
In Albert Camus's The Stranger, Meursault is on trial for both his actions and his eccentric character. While he is technically tried for the murder of an Arab, the court focuses more on his unconventional behavior and lack of remorse. The prosecution emphasizes his indifference, particularly around his mother's death, as evidence of his moral guilt. Ultimately, Meursault's character and worldview, which clash with societal norms, heavily influence the trial's outcome and his severe punishment.
In The Stranger, how does death symbolize modernism and absurdism?
In "The Stranger," death symbolizes modernism through Meursault's detached, unemotional response to his mother's death, reflecting modernist themes of challenging societal norms. Absurdism is evident in his realization that life is inherently meaningless, and death's inevitability highlights the futility of seeking meaning. Meursault's enlightenment occurs when he accepts death's certainty, understanding that life's only meaning comes from acknowledging its inevitable end, thus embodying absurdist philosophy.
Is Meursault's reaction to his mother's death in The Stranger odd? Why or why not?
Meursault's reaction to his mother's death in The Stranger is considered odd due to his lack of emotion and detachment. He responds dispassionately, more concerned about missing work than mourning. This reaction reflects his philosophy that only immediate experiences affect him, as he dismisses abstract ideas and social norms. His nonconformist attitude and self-centeredness contribute to his downfall, highlighting his existential belief in the meaninglessness of existence.
How does the sun affect Meursault's mood and behavior in The Stranger?
Meursault's negative reaction to the sun's heat and glare in Camus's The Stranger makes him act with even greater indifference to the world, even contributing to his absurd killing of the Arab.
In "The Stranger", what is ironic about Mersault's relationship with the chaplain?
The irony in Mersault's relationship with the chaplain lies in Mersault's rejection of religion and the chaplain's beliefs, despite Mersault's Christ-like role in the narrative. Mersault, who lives a detached life without meaning, rejects the chaplain's offer of hope and salvation. However, like Christ, he is misunderstood and sacrificed, not for his crime, but for his non-conformity. Mersault is certain of his beliefs, contrasting with the chaplain's certainties.
In Albert Camus's The Stranger, what is Meursault's idea of the afterlife?
Meursault, in Albert Camus's The Stranger, rejects the idea of an afterlife, reflecting his absurdist and atheist beliefs. He does not believe in God or an afterlife, which disturbs religious figures in the novel. Meursault values certainty in life and accepts death as the end, viewing belief in an afterlife as negating life. His stance embodies the absurd hero's manifesto: to embrace life, despise death, and disregard divine influence.
In The Stranger, why does society need Meursault to grieve his mother's death?
Society needs Meursault to grieve his mother's death to align with its expectations of emotional behavior, which would help portray him as a compassionate person. His indifference at the funeral is used by the prosecutor to depict him as a cold, nihilistic individual, suggesting that his lack of conformity to societal norms indicates criminal tendencies. This perception makes it difficult for society to sympathize with Meursault or view the Arab's killing as accidental.
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