The Stranger

Introduction

The Stranger, also known as The Outsider, is a novel written by French author Albert Camus in 1942. It tells the story of Meursault, a detached and apathetic man who is accused of murder and struggles to come to terms with his own existence and societal expectations.

Summary

The novel begins with Meursault receiving the news of his mother’s death. He attends her funeral but shows no emotion, causing tension among his family and others. Soon after, he becomes involved with a woman named Marie and befriends his neighbor, Raymond, who involves him in a violent encounter with a group of Arabs. Later, Meursault shoots and kills one of the Arabs on the beach, claiming it was due to the harsh sun and the man’s actions towards him.

As he stands trial, Meursault’s lack of emotion and detachment toward the situation only adds to his conviction. Despite his lack of remorse, he is sentenced to death. In the end, Meursault realizes the absurdity of his own existence and accepts his fate with a newfound sense of peace.

Themes

The Stranger explores themes of existentialism, absurdism, and the meaning of human existence. Meursault’s detachment and indifference towards life and death are reflective of Camus’ philosophy of the absurd – the idea that life has no inherent meaning, and humans must create their own purpose. Meursault’s struggles with societal expectations also highlight the absurdity of human interactions and societal norms.

The novel also touches on the concept of existentialism, as Meursault questions the meaning of life and reflects on his own existence. His detached and apathetic attitude mirrors the existential belief that life is ultimately meaningless and that humans must find their own purpose and create their own value.

Characters

Meursault is the main character and narrator of the story. He is a stranger to the societal norms and expectations, and his detached and indifferent attitude makes it difficult for the reader to fully understand him.

Marie is Meursault’s love interest, and their relationship represents the fleeting nature of human connections. She accepts Meursault for who he is, and he finds comfort in her presence.

Raymond is a neighbor and friend of Meursault, who involves him in his violent encounters with the Arabs. His character represents the corrupt and violent nature of society and highlights Meursault’s apathy towards it.

Conclusion

The Stranger is a thought-provoking novel that challenges societal expectations and explores themes of existentialism and absurdism. Through the character of Meursault, Camus presents a commentary on the meaning of life and the absurdity of human existence. In the end, the novel leaves readers with the idea that life may be meaningless, but we must find our own purpose and make the most of our existence.