Extentialism: The Stranger

Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes a few main points, such as free will, and choices should be made without the assistance of another person or standard. From the existentialist point of view you must accept the risk and responsibility of your choices and follow the commitment wherever it leads. There are many ways to view life. The way life is viewed by an individual is the way his morals are set. The existentialist, believes that life is absurd and meaningless. Existentialists believe humans live and humans die, they state that death is just a matter of time for everyone, a reality that is inescapable.

In the novel The Stranger,by Albert Camus, I believe reality to be the villain. Meursault realizes that death is a subject that cannot be erased. Meursault comes to the conclusion that death is the end result for every human's life.

Meursault kills an Arab and is convicted for the murder. While in the courtroom Meursault is asked why he killed the Arab and the only response Meursault could give them was the sun. Meursault said, "I never intended to kill the Arab." The judge replies and Meursault blurted out that it was because of the sun. Meursault told the truth, the sun did affect his judgment. Camus writes, "The sun was starting to burn my cheeks...it was burning, which I couldn't stand anymore, that made me move forward." The Arab gets up and shows his knife. The sun blinded him in two ways, the first was because of the sweat in his eye, the second was because the knife was reflecting the light into Meursault's eyes. Even though Meursault was telling the truth, the courtroom laughed at the reply.

Meursault's sentence was death, the inevitable was occurring, except this time the inescapable had now been given a time. Meursault faced with the reality of death makes a statement. He says, "Well, so I'm going to die.' Sooner than other people will, obviously...deep down I know perfectly will that it doesn't much matter whether you die at thirty or at seventy, since in either case other men and women will naturally go in living." With this reality Meursault reflects on the meaning of life.

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