The Stranger By Albert Camus: A Literary Analysis
Existentialism is the philosophical notion which highlights the existence of a person as free and responsible. Their actions are their own and will be the determinant in what course their life will take. Albert Camus’ novel The Stranger has been considered an existentialist novel, however, Camus would argue that his novel is in fact an absurdist novel and not an existentialist novel. His belief was that “the radical confrontation with the absurd was an absolute necessity in the 20th century, but only as a first step toward a fuller version of human meaning and value.” An absurdist novel focuses on characters who believe there is no purpose to life, and the experiences they go through can seem unrelated and random. This paper will cover instances within Camus’ novel which support the absurdist point of view as well as Victor Brombert’s article …show more content…
Mersault is emotionless for the most part, and goes about life nonchalantly. His experiences do not faze him and he reacts in an analytical, concrete fashion when something disastrous occurs, such as when his mother passes away at the beginning of the novel as well as when he shoots the Arab on the beach. Mersault also does not understand how his shooting of the Arab was a crime, he blames it entirely on circumstance. This is why The Stranger is an absurdist novel instead of an existentialist novel. With existentialism the actions of a person determine the course of their life, while with an absurdist life the person is beyond apathetic towards because he/she feels that there is no true purpose to life, therefore why waste time on something as menial as emotion. When the novel begins Mersault has just been told that his mother passed away in her home and so he must go for the vigil and burial, which is something he sees more as a burdensome occurrence rather than an event for
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Diction In The Stranger
932 Words | 4 PagesWhat if life contributed to no meaning and the only point which matters is the existence happening during the present? To make things worse, as humans live, they breath, but as they die a salvation is received to their soul, and their existence is over. The Stranger by Albert Camus illustrates that the human soul exists in the world physically, therefore the presence or absence does not contribute to any particular event in life. Through, this thought the novel introduces Meursault, who alienates himself from society. He lacks concern for social conventions and is deprived of the physical bounding from people around him.
Physical Attractions In The Stranger By Albert Camus
1027 Words | 5 PagesUnlike normal people when someone they love dies, Mersault does not seem depressed nor does he grieve after his mother’s passing. During Maman’s funeral, Mersault does not shed a tear, and he rather focuses on the physical appearance of the room in which they are in. During the procession Mersault explains, “There wasn’t a shadow anywhere in front of me, and every object, every angle and curve stood out so sharply it made my eyes hurt” (Camus 9). Mersault is more affected by the physical aspects of the room
The Stranger By Albert Camus: Transcendental Singularity Essay
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The Invisible Man Literary Analysis
1805 Words | 8 PagesThe Invisible Man narrates young black man´s process of self-discovering and self-growing and his struggle to gain recognition and to define his identity in a white American patriarchal society. Although the most relevant aspect in the novel is the fight the protagonist faces in order to obtain equality between races and gain visibility in the society, female characters seem to be completely forgotten, denied and lacking visibility and autonomy. Women´s othering and the oppression of a Western patriarchal system makes them as invisible throughout the novel as the protagonist-or even more-. In addition, female representatives in the novel are reduced to established roles and stereotypes which deny them any kind of individual personality. This
The Stranger Literary Analysis
1100 Words | 5 PagesIn The Stranger, Camus uses character Mersault to illustrate that life is an absurd and pointless by the reaction to his mother’s death, the interaction with his friends, the treatment with
Social Norms In The Stranger, By Albert Camus
1196 Words | 5 PagesExistentialism is a philosophy that invites us to find purpose and meaning in life by thinking independently and acting deliberately, without overt influence from social norms. This philosophy manifests in Albert Camus’s novel The Stranger in the strange character of Meursault, who defies many major social norms throughout the novel. He places no faith in justice or authority figures. He does not pretend to grieve for his dead mother.
Nihilism In The Stranger By Albert Camus
768 Words | 4 PagesIn The Stranger by Albert Camus: the protagonist, Meursault, appears to be indifferent to everything throughout the book. Even on fundamentally important concepts such as death, love, and time. Because to Meursault, “we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how doesn’t matter (2.5.114).” This general lack of interest is similar to the Universe because if the grand scheme of things, our lives, and our deaths mean nothing and would have no real impact on the future of the Universe. Our deaths turn meaningless over time, eventually love will fade away, and time will blur together to the point that 100 years will seem like a millisecond.
Albert Camus Accomplishments
526 Words | 3 PagesAlbert Camus was a brilliant mind and author. He changed philosophy and brought new ideas into the world. He lived an extravagant life and accomplished many great achievements. Camus’s philosophy of absurdism was controversial in its contents but also created a new outlet for debate and a new light to see everday life in. Camus’s early life included many trials and tribulations
The Stranger, By Albert Camus
598 Words | 3 PagesThe theme of The Stranger is that people feel the need to rationalize the unexplainable. The theme shows itself in scenes like the courtroom and when Meursault and the Judge talk. The courtroom is not just the place where Meursault crime and his life is on trial. The courtroom also is where society is casting their judgements.
Existentialism In Albert Camus's The Guest
964 Words | 4 PagesAlbert Camus’ short story “The Guest,” that takes place during the World War II in France demonstrates the right and freedom of existentialism. The Polish writer, Camus tries to show that every human being has a choice; whether it is good, or bad, but can we choose to do it for ourselves or let someone else do it for us is all up to us to decide. The Guest, short story narrates the story of a schoolmaster, Daru, an Algerian-born Frenchman who lives alone in a remote area; the environment in which the story takes place produces a feeling of isolation. One day, Daru notices that two men coming toward him, and there were Balducci and a prisoner. Balducci, the police officer and a good friend of Daru leads an Arab prisoner who has been accused of murdering his cousin.
Bridge-Philosophical Suicide In The Stranger, By Albert Camus
838 Words | 4 PagesIntroduction Hook- Absurdism is seen as the confrontation of the individual with the natural world and society. Albert Camus thought there were three solutions to absurdism, which were physical suicide, philosophical suicide, and acceptance. Bridge- Philosophical suicide is seen as a leap of faith, a sort of giving in. If death is looked at in those terms than a philosophical murder should be similar to its suicidal counterpart.
The Stranger, By Albert Camus
459 Words | 2 Pages"The stranger" by Albert Camus is an ideal example for existentialism. Concepts, actions, behaviors and relations of the main character, Meursault, with others around him, all have existentialism touches. He is a man who believes that life and the universe are meaningless, and therefore, what matters is the individual's existence and not the judgments made by others, for existence precedes essence. The novel starts with a letter to Mersualt telling him that his mother has died at the old persons' where she lives. Unlikely to normal person, he shows carelessness, with no sadness for the death of his mother.
The Myth For Sisyphus Essay
1299 Words | 6 PagesThe Myth for Sisyphus eventually Tom's perusing Albert Camus distributed clinched alongside 1942 who is for the most part distinguished Likewise a standout amongst the primary figures in the existentialist development. Camshaft himself displays Sisyphus similarly as those absurd legend Furthermore dives around to hint at how Sisyphus illustrates as much [Camus’] own convictions regarding the mankind's condition. Something like that on the person hand the story for Sisyphus is existentialist in view a standout amongst the principle figures about existentialism displays it as portraying as much see from claiming existence. The vital article may be of the anonymous representation of the fanciful figure for Sisyphus. Sisyphus might have been a
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