The Stranger

In The Stranger, Albert Camus explores the absurdity of life through the actions and reactions of Meursault, the narrator of the story.

One of Meursault's thoughts is being expressed following the death of his mother. "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from the home: 'Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.' That doesn't mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday." (Camus 3).

Meursault's main concern appears to be on the precise day of his mother's death. He shows little concern over the loss of his mother. Camus' use of the phrase, "That doesn't mean anything," can be interpreted in two ways; Meursault could be simply stating that the telegram does not tell the date of his mother's death, or he could be saying that it does not matter that his mother died at all.

Later at Maman's funeral, Meursault shows greater indifference toward his mother's death. He arrives at the mortuary to find out that his mother's body has already been sealed in the coffin. The caretaker kindly offers to open the casket for him, upon which Meursault decidedly declines. At the funeral the next day, he pays little attention to the funeral, taking particular interest in the nature surrounding him. He feels no grief or sadness, though he finds the heat unbearable. (Camus 5-18).

Meursault's action of him turning down his boss's offer of a position in Paris acknowledges his definite beliefs about his life. "I said that people never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another and that I wasn't dissatisfied with mine here at all." (Camus 41).

Meursault illustrates his beliefs in certain firmness to the existence of human beings, maintaining that one's life remains constant though some of the details may change. He also implies that each person's life is equal to everyone else's, and that he would not be living a "better" life in Paris.

Camus demonstrates more of Meursault's absurd actions through his relationship with Marie, which has been well put together after the two spend the night together. This relationship does not mean much to Meursault though, given his response when Marie asks him if he loves her. "A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her that it didn't mean anything but that I didn't think so." (Camus 35). Meursault answers Marie's question completely and honestly. He does not try to be tactful or give support to the expectations of his society. He then agrees to marry her if she insists, reflecting his ignorance of emotion. Marie and Meursault differ from each other greatly in personality, and their only similarity is being a common "delight" in physical contact.

Meursault's relationship with his neighbor, Raymond, is one of poor judgment. Over dinner one night, Raymond tells Meursault stories of how he beat his mistress for cheating on him. He asks Meursault to write a letter to lure his mistress back in order to further torment her. Meursault agrees with him, mainly because he has the time and ability to do such action. He does not make the distinction or the difference between good and bad in his own mind. Raymond uses Meursault not once but twice over the course of a short period of time, when he convinces him to testify on his behalf after he is arrested for beating his mistress. (Camus 28-37).

Meursault's apathy peaks when he, Marie, and Raymond visit Masson, a friend of Raymond, at his beach house. Masson, Meursault, and Raymond run into two Arabs on the beach, one of which is the brother of Raymond's mistress. A fight soon breaks out and Raymond is stabbed. After tending to the wound, Raymond and Meursault return to the beach. They, eventually, find the Arabs at the spring, where Meursault talks some sense to Raymond of not shooting them. He takes Raymond's gun and slips it into his pocket. (Camus 47-59). This gun symbolizes the responsibility of Meursault's downfall on Raymond's part. Raymond gives Meursault the gun, "passing" the responsibility of deciding whether to