THE STRANGER

ALBERT CAMUS (1946)

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY
Pallavi Mam Shiwangi
220222400044
MA ENGLISH 2ND
Sem
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
OF MEAURSAULT
ALBERT CAMUS KNOWN FOR
ALBERT CAMUS
( 7november1913, Drean, Algeria – 4January1960,Villeblevin, France )
is a French philosopher, author, dramatist and journalist. He uses his
debut novel, THE STRANGER(1942), as a platform to explore absurdity, a
concept central to his writings and at the core of his treatment of questions
about the meaning of life. In his work, Camus addresses topics ranging from
alienation to the inadequacy of traditional values.

The novel is also known as ‘THE OUTSIDER’

PHILOSOPHY OF ABSURD IN “THE STRANGER”

The absurd, for Camus in THE STRANGER, is the meaninglessness

lying at the heart of our existence, our lives, and our being. The stranger
is not only to the world or the others, but also to himself, his existence,
his own body, that is his whole being.

Criticized by
Jean- Paul Sartre --- quietism of despair
Friedrich Neitzsche--- followed from the collapse of western
metaphysics.
 REPRESENTATION OF PROTAGONIST (MEURSAULT)

• Meursault atheism and his lack of outward grief at his mother’s funeral
represents a serious challenge to the morals of society in which he
lives. Consequently, society brands him an outsider.

• Meursault lives an absurdist lifestyle and only places emphasis on

things that matter to him and that he sees as relevant. The ideology of
Meursault first comes to prominence after Meursault’s mother dies.
since we are going to die, its obvious that
when and how don’t matter
CHARACTER TRAITS OF MEURSAULT’S
• Nihilist
• Less expressive
• Emotionally indifferent
• Observe people and surroundings carefully
• Observe more and speak less.
• Habit of not taking things and events seriously.
• Constant longing for a company.
• Confused
• Blended mode
ANALYSIS OF KEY MOMENTS IN ‘THE
STRANGER’
• Meursault attends his mother’s funeral.
• Meursault goes to the beach and movies with Marie.
• Marie, Meursault and Raymond travel to Masson’s
beach house.
• Marie asks Meursault to marry him.
• The magistrate brandishes a cross and asks Meursault
about his faith. He says he doesn’t believe in GOD.
• Meursault is condemned to death by beheading.
• The chaplain tries to get Meursault to accepts the
indifference of the world and accepts his new fate.
IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER’S IN
MEURSAULT’S LIFE
Meursault remains unable to experience deep, complex relationships to the people in his life. Weather
it is a relationship of mother-son, friends, lover.
CHARACTERS OF HIS LIFE WERE….
Marie Reymond
Masson
His mother
Salamano
MEURSAULT’S SYMBOLIZE IN “THE
STRANGER”

The stranger main character, Meursault,

represents indifference. Meursault lacks
emotion and empathy; and this makes him
an unlikeable and generally unrelatable
character.
WHY MEURSAULT SO HOSTILE TO RELIGION.

Meursault combats the chaplains religiousness with his own brand of

certainty– his certainty of his own death. Meursault challenges the
chaplain’s view of Christianity with the absurdist position that nothing
means more than anything else.
DO MEURSAULT IS A THREAT TO SOCIETY?

Meursault refuses to disguise his true feelings and consequently he

is considered as a monster and a major threat to the society.
Actually, Meursault embraces the free will by rejecting the
collective values of his society and therefore the society labels him
as a stranger.
CONCLUSION
• His character is significant in his own ways it represents a modern man.
• He does what he wants to do and care less about other.
• For him being in prison and trial was just a game.
• Not at last he wanted to shows that he wanted to live.
THANK-YOU