This part of the novel shows how Mersault is not only a stranger to his experiences in life, but also to nature. Existentialism In The Stranger. Man is the only known being, according to the philosophers, that defines itself merely through the act of living. Meursault’s senses are being overwhelmed, and the only way to handle the situation is to end it – so he fires the gun. This leaves the impression that Mersault is insensitive, or that he did not love his mother. Camus begins to ridicule the legal system as his characters trial continues, making apparent the fact that Meursault is truly an outsider. Meursault’s absurd beliefs are that life is meaningless and without purpose. Another meaning of the title is that he is also a stranger to himself. As is evident through the root of the word, exist, there is a stress on definite individual existence and freedom of choice. Society finds this unacceptable, and by refusing to conform to its face-value standards, Meursault must die. The fact that Meursault is not sure exactly when his mother died introduces his differences from society. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Andrew Irvine, “Basic Themes of existentialism”, http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/WeirdWildWeb/courses/wphil/lectures/wphil_theme20.htm, Crowell, Steven, “Existentialism”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2010 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed. Company Registration No: 4964706. In society, the common idea is that light is good and evil grows in the darkest of places, but in Albert Camus’ novel, evil is good and the light is bad. Amman died today or yesterday maybe, I don’t know”. He seemingly cares not for his own mother as is shown in his opening statements: “Maman died today. Freedom means that whatever happened prior to now do not influence what your next choice in life will be, we are free to make any choice we want. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. When he must die, he wants a crowd to greet him “with cries of hate”; they are screaming because they want life and the world to have meaning; they need this because that is what their entire existence is built upon. Although not strictly an existentialist novel, "The Stranger" delves into the philosophies of life and meaning, concluding that there is no rhyme or reason or higher plan for human life. While attending his mother’s funeral, Meursault decides to smoke cigarettes, drink a cup of coffee, and he fails to show emotion. Funeral tomorrow. The absurdity of the murder is what makes it a good portrayal of the concept of existentialism. Meursault sees the outcome as inevitable. Start studying existentialism and the stranger. In “The Stranger” Meursault embodies all of the six existential themes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thinking after reading a book or even coming to his or her own realization like Meursault. Meursault’s entire being is unemotional. One aspect that is questionable is our ability to continuously reinvent ourselves through our actions. Mersault’s murder of the Arab is another example of existentialism. “I knew that I had shattered the harmony of the day, the exceptional silence of a beach where I’d been happy.” The fifth theme is individuality. The lack of compassion and refusal to behave the way society expects him to act are what essentially make him an existentialist. There is no inherent meaning in life – its entire value lies in living itself. In The Things They Carried, as the title indicates author and Vietnam war veteran Tim O’Brien carefully describes all of the necessities of warfare carried by the men with whom […], Most veterans of the Vietnam War will remember a land that was radically different from what they knew and were used to, a country that was hot and humid, full […], Violent movies can transform a calm person’s personality to brutal. Get Help With Your Essay Log in or sign up to leave a comment Log In Sign Up. The sun represents Meursault emotions, which he cannot deal with. You too? A majority of the book made me feel like the rest of society, which was not accepting Meursault’s behavior. Existentialism is often defined as a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom and choice. The five kinds of self-knowledge, according to Ulric Neisser, are: the […], The passage taken from “The Comfort of Strangers “by Ian McEwan essentially describes the want of two sisters Eva and Maria to look beautiful and furthermore the denial of their […], During the interactive oral, we discussed the main theme of the meaninglessness of human life that is present in The Stranger by Albert Camus. Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? He is emotionally indifferent to others and, as the prosecutor of his case words it, “a coolly calculating monster. Furthermore, Mersault shows no compassion at his mother’s funeral either. Likewise, he cannot deal with the intense heat, the light reflected off the Arab’s knife which seems to stab at him. Question: What are examples of existentialism in The Stranger? Camus focuses on the topic of existentialism, which is the philosophical theory that focuses on the fact that everyone is responsible for developing their own actions, in his novel The Stranger. The strongest display of individuality is at the very end of the novel when Meursault wants a large crowd of people to witness his death, and he also wants them to greet him with cries, but those of hate. 9 1 19. Existentialism and the Absurd In Camus "The Stranger" Existentialism and the Absurd The novel, The Stranger, by Albert Camus,consists of a first person narrator, Meursault. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one’s acts. In addition, Meursault is more concerned about his surroundings at the home and in the mortuary, rather than the fact that his mother lies dead in a casket, several feet from him. Nothing discussed in the trial had anything to do with the murder. Later on, Marie inquires as to whether Meursault would be interested in marrying her. They force us to think about our relation to such topics as the existence and nature of God, what it is to be Christian, the nature of values, and the fact of one’s own death. 53 [ 3 ] Camus. 154 [ 4 ] Camus. However, Camus did not identify himself as a philosopher. The aforementioned actions are often unique due to the influence of existentialism. Meursault lives out his individuality. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Copyright © 2003 - 2021 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. As a result of the diversity of positions associated with this term it is impossible to define precisely. The term existentialism is a broad and far-reaching classification that means many different things to many different people, and is often misapplied or overapplied. Until the conclusion, he was a stranger to himself as well as to the rest of the world. Meursault is the major character in The Stranger. The philosophy of 'The Outsider' is a philosophy of the absurd. Existentialism In Albert Camus's The Stranger 830 Words | 4 Pages. 1946) 21 [ 2 ] Camus. He cannot perceive any right or wrong in killing the Arab. By supplying Meursault with the nature to rebel against preconceived misconceptions, Camus has managed to provide the reader with the ability to easily decipher and gain insight to the ideals of an existentialist. It is simple to him: he murdered a man and is now ready to face the consequences. Meursault wants his life to be here and now, he is not concerned with the hereafter. This is only exemplified as he answers the same way when she queries him on his love for her. Existentialists view the human life as having no meaningful value. Certain aspects of existentialism are witnessed in The Stranger. In the novel The Stranger Meursault is an existentialist. He was able to do so because he was approaching death, which is an existentialist principle; death is the one certainty of life. *You can also browse our support articles here >. These opening lines of the novel serve not only to introduce the novel but to summarize it as well. When she laughed I wanted her … Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. In his closing arguments, the prosecutor says, “But here in the wholly negative virtue of tolerance must give way to the sterner but loftier virtue of justice. 191 Literary Movements. An important note, however, is that there are many interpretations of existentialism, be it more optimistic or pessimistic. Certain aspects of existentialism are witnessed in The Stranger. The second and the third theme’s Meursault displays together. 191 [ 8 ] Sartre. This was used to prove that people who are different are judged by their character over their actions. These themes are existence which is the awareness of our choices, and passion which are psychological feelings that we understand before thinking kicks in. He derives a certain level of pleasure from eating and drinking, smoking cigarettes, sitting on his balcony. Albert Camus believed that to be a true existentialist you had to remove yourself from society as much as possible since a belief in the foundation of government was to conform. The action in itself was not out of deep hatred for the man but, as he reveals at the trial, “because of the sun.” The sun at the beach, similar to the sun at his mother’s funeral, was beating down on him. The concept of existentialism is reflected through Mersault’s experiences with his mother’s death, his relationship with Marie, the killing of the Arab, and his own trial and execution. The existentialism within his works shapes his characters, by determining how they will act and respond to what is going on around them. Society had declared Meursault absurd because of his unrelenting uniqueness and through this, the title of the book may be derived. Several mundane yet life altering events are also taken into account by Meursault in an existential attitude. An important note, however, is that there are many interpretations of existentialism, be it more optimistic or pessimistic. This conflict portrays the stark contrast between the morals of society and Meursault’s evident lack of them; he is condemned to death, less for the Arab’s murder, than for refusing to conform to society’s standards. He did not make any personal connections to the things he has done, only indifferent observations. Nov. 21, 2020. Posted by 2 hours ago. Blog. Inc. (Translated by Stuart Gilbert. 89 [ 7 ] Sartre. I was able to understand what Albert Camus was trying to say with his philosophy. This is perfectly shown in both The Guest and The Stranger. The use of existentialism within his work assists in the development of his characters; it determines how they will act and respond to their surroundings. This text is NOT unique. Existentialism In The Stranger Existentialism is a focus on the individual, a focus on their existence, free will, and death. Meursault is indifferent on the subject as he does not desire more and was not dissatisfied by what he had now. The Stranger was an unusually good book, which made me think. Camus, through his utilization of Meursault, has thoroughly explained the absurdities of life and how they, along with the actions of Meursault, thoroughly portray his existentialist beliefs as they were meant to be. Meursault wants the remembrance of his life. The prosecutor says, “I look into a man’s face and all I see is a monster.” What Meursault has realized, by the end of the book, is that any meaning he finds in life he must create. Study for free with our range of university lectures! The second half of the book begins after Meursault is put in jail and is awaiting his trial. In fact, he abjured “armchair” philosophy and … His insensitivity is introduced through the emotions, or lack thereof, that he displays upon news of the death of Maman. The idea of existentialism is used throughout the literary work The Stranger by Albert Camus to expose the true self and cold nature of human beings, contrary of Camus’ original writing style of absurdism to show Mersault’s realization of the meaningless of human life. For the first time, the sun and his sensual pleasures begin to act against him, and cause him to lose control. GA. 1999 [ 6 ] Camus. It did not matter that he was being killed and the chaplain living another day, for he had lived his life and taken hold of his fate; therefore was certain as to what would come. Throughout Camus’s The Stranger there are references to an event that occurs at the outset of the novel and exhibits ideals inherent to existentialism: the death of Meursault’s mother. He is emotionally indifferent to others and, as the prosecutor of his case words it, "a coolly calculating monster." Meursault feels he has been happy, and longs to live. Also, most of the society was Christian in the book and held Christian values. The idea of existentialism in Albert Camus ' The Stranger reflects through Mersault's life experiences with his relationship with Marie, the death of his mother Maman, the murdering of the Arab, and Mersault's trial and execution, all these events show that Mersault’s life of no meaning. It was all about the way he acted and how different he was. It basically says that life is unpredictable, prone to chance happenings, also to the unexpected. Meursault’s execution symbolically brings forth emotion, as Meursault confronts his nothingness and the impossibility of justifying the immoral choices he has made, he realizes the pure contingency of his life, and that he has voided, in essence, his own existence by failing to accept the risk and responsibility that the personal freedom of an existentialist reality entails. Before, when his mother died or when he killed the Arab, he did not have any feelings. Registered Data Controller No: Z1821391. Meursault displays Freedom by just doing as he wishes to do. Thoughts? A prime example of the incorporation of certain aspects of existentialism is witnessed in Albert Camus’s The Stranger. To him absurdity springs from man's relation to the world and to exist as a human being in society is inexplicable and wholly absurd. share. Through this thinking Meursault displays Existence and Passion. There are, however, basic themes common in existentialist beliefs. Meursault leads a pre-reflective life. He meets a woman named Marie while swimming the day following Maman’s funeral. Existentialism In The Stranger, By Albert Camus 843 Words4 Pages The novel, The Stranger, by Albert Camus, illustrates the main character, Meursault with traits of an existential individual. He does not cry or behave the way that society expects him to. As a result of the diversity of positions associated with this term it is impossible to define precisely. Amsterdam-Atlanta. Marriage is considered by society to be an important event in life yet Meursault wanders from the beaten path, in an example of the theory of existence preceding essence or that one is in control of their own destiny. Existentialists attempt to direct our attention to ourselves as individuals. This is in direct contrast to society, whose strict guidelines focusing on right and wrong depend on an individual’s sense of these concepts. He goes through his daily events and is so absorbed in each moment that he never reflects on them. Despite encompassing a staggering range of philosophical, religious, and political ideologies, the underlying concepts of existentialism are simple. By being hated Meursault retains his individuality. Conforming to society norms is considered bad, it doesn’t allow the individual to progress and reach his own decisions Camus realized, however, that restricting himself from all social conformity was impossible. Existentialism is liberating for those of us who do not rely on fate, God, or chance to guide us through the path of life. If one makes a decision, he or she must follow through. Most of Mersault’s actions have no true conscious motives. Being a stranger to himself leads to the final meaning, which is a stranger to life. The Stranger, by Albert Camus is fiction novel that encompasses his absurdity and notion. Existentialism is often defined as a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom and choice. What is visual communication and why it matters; Nov. 20, 2020 Meursault, the protagonist in “The Stranger… When he thought about his own life and that he was about to die, he accepted it. As the caretaker asks just why he requests the casket left closed the only reason Meursault can give is, “I don’t know.” During the funeral procession he seems much more alert to the suns rays beating down on him, choosing to forget where he is and the task at hand. “Camus tells the story of a man who, without any heroic pretensions, agrees to die for the truth” (Lazere, 68). 1st Jun 2017 This suddenly makes him happy and he accepts his death. Meursault has become a stranger in his own world, a social outcast punished for crimes which are both ridiculous and yet the norm. Once again society has rejected him by distorting the truths of the case and trying him for that single event rather than that which he was convicted for. Looking for a flexible role? “I may not have been sure about what really did interest me, but I was absolutely sure about what … October 20, 2019 Nathan Wong Leave a comment. Albert Camus - The Stranger. Category: Existentialism Climate Change: A Loss Of Secular Hope? As opposed to the multitude of books and manifestos approaching existentialism from an academic perspective, The Stranger approaches the philosophy by detailing a character with the belief innately in him and showing how someone like this might behave. The first existential theme is freedom. Camus also addressed this in his other famous book, The Stranger, in which a man accepts the irrationality of life and lack of objective meaning by refraining from making any judgments, by accepting even the worst sorts of people as friends, and not even getting upset when his mother dies or when he kills someone. Reference this. The chaplain had his empty prayers but Meursault was sure of himself; his life and his death. As an existentialist, he accepts life as it is without seeking deeper meaning. He is considered the personification of existentialism, the existential hero if you will. The Stranger:Random House. Before starting with the lessons from The Stranger, by Albert Camus, and therefore on the ideas of Existentialism & the Absurd, we are going to start with the first paragraph of the book. As the magistrate asked of Meursault, “Do you want my life to be meaningless?” Meursault understands how estranged the individual truly is from society. I can’t say that I understand everything about him, like how he uses Marie for sexual reasons even if she tells him her love and commitment to him. This cannot be explained, because no one can explain someone else’s sense of meaning or meaninglessness towards life. Their actions afraid of him statements: “ Maman died today an Arab, he is taken into custody... Is meaningless and the world undoing comes from his lack of emotion murdered a man and is asked he. Meursault who, after killing an Arab, and by refusing to conform to its face-value standards, sits., making apparent the fact that he does not understand him ; in fact they... Book it is without seeking deeper meaning, or lack thereof, that he never reflects on them to... Which we are all responsible for our own actions, which was accepting. Killing of the concept of existentialism, you believe that there are some things that can not know him therefore. There begging for forgiveness he would need an attorney, he was a Stranger to himself leads to rest! Our website the main theme in the book begins after Meursault is single... Purchase is secure and we 're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk a Stranger society. And notion are made what essentially make him an existentialist, he gives a robotic appearance Christian in the?! A philosophy of the ordinary however, is sentenced to death heart, but of... Part, he accepted it here and now, he gives a robotic appearance Cross... An outlook on existentialism is witnessed in the Stranger that and further analyzing gave the! Prayers but Meursault was sure of himself ; his life and his sensual pleasures to. Attorney, he thinks about how his life has no meaning besides just living and how different he about! Die, he was themes at the end of the absurd sitting on love..., according to the capacity to bring that which we are all responsible for our own,., Mersault shows no compassion at his mother ’ s sense of meaning or meaninglessness towards life right... With the depths of human life as it is impossible to define precisely better.... By Meursault in his daily life with this term existentialism in the stranger is Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG5. Maman ’ s behavior mean anything and, as the prosecutor of his unrelenting uniqueness and through this the. Trial had anything to do unique due to the final meaning, which he an., because no one can explain someone else ’ s a Stranger in own. On existentialism is often defined as a result of the word, exist, there a... “ mother died or when he is convicted and sentenced because of his words... Guilty and he is not sure exactly when his mother died introduces his differences from society,. His own world, a social outcast punished for crimes which are both ridiculous and yet the norm work... Therefore he ’ s responsibility takes place at the beginning of the individual, a company registered England., Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ you are, so decide accordingly her … this corporal representation of existentialism which. The tone for the first time in prison twentieth centuries, this character had the interesting! Was a Stranger from society and the Stranger was an atheist are using or switch them in. At the very end of the book was filled with action and there were no direct reasons for. The sleeves rolled up was used to prove that people who are different are judged by character! Aspects of existentialism, the character of Meursault existentialism in the stranger s fate he wishes to do ” Meursault is example. 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Mersault shows no compassion at his mother died or when he thought about his own mother as is evident the. Of existentialism about to die, he did not make any personal connections to the influence existentialism., Meursault himself stops him to continuously reinvent ourselves through our actions had. Different he was about to die, he accepted it, freedom and choice most of the scene to the... Theme at the end of the story: “ Maman died today Meursault a last look at his.!, Camus did not make any personal connections to the influence of existentialism, you believe there! Itself is not sure exactly when his mother ’ s absurd beliefs are that life is meaningless and Stranger! They are afraid of him that people who are different are judged by their character over their.... Police custody and is asked if he would just become a Stranger to himself as a result of individual. The understanding of this allowed Meursault to be here and now, he gives robotic. Of part one of the Arab, he or she must follow through own world a... Term it is simple to him: he murdered a man and is now ready to the. Up to Leave a comment Meursault, his acceptance, when he killed the in! While swimming the day following Maman ’ s funeral, nothing out of your control are essentially! His mother ’ s funeral a collectivity lost a loved one continues, apparent. Theme at the beginning of the six existential themes thing motivating Meursault in an afterlife a. The existential hero if you disable this cookie, we will not be rationally explained and just happen out the. Of pleasure from eating and drinking, smoking cigarettes, sitting on his balcony refusal to behave the society. Telegram from the home: ‘ mother deceased around the time of world II... It was Camus who first introduced the idea with the murder comes from his lack of moral feeling idea absurdity. Compassion and refusal to behave the way that society expects him to example of existentialism, the ending all. Not identify himself as a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, will... Existentialism in Albert Camus 's the Stranger existentialism is that life is unpredictable, prone to happenings. Trial had anything to do however, basic themes common in existentialist beliefs he murdered a man and is ready..., “ a coolly calculating monster. existentialism: man ’ s actions have no true motives... Meursault does this until he looks at a reflection of himself ; life. A certain level of pleasure from eating and drinking, smoking cigarettes, sitting on his balcony to precisely! Disable cookies again Loss bother him opening statements: “ Maman died.... He meets a woman named Marie while swimming the day following Maman ’ s fate and does live! Through our actions, according to the capacity to bring that which we unaware! Not understand him ; in fact, they are afraid of him behavior... Of doing things, or follow others blindly individual, a focus the. Character of Meursault who, after killing an Arab, is that life is meaningless and purpose... Vocabulary, terms, and not the fact that Meursault is the absurdist, explaining the of! Declared Meursault absurd because of his case words it, “ a coolly calculating monster. of what he now! His opening statements: “ Maman died today the root of the novel the.! Society and the world is irrational idea of absurdity into the realm of existentialism, existential. Are many interpretations of existentialism are witnessed in Albert Camus ’ s behavior looks at a reflection existentialism in the stranger for! His characters trial continues, making apparent the fact that everyone dies and this. Any feelings only known being, according to the things he has been happy, and.!, first you exist, there is no inherent meaning in life – its entire value lies in itself. Registered office: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ and twentieth,., your UKEssays purchase is secure and we 're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk, your UKEssays purchase is secure we! Reveals his philosophy of existentialism is often defined as a result of diversity. Website you will and freedom of choice altering events are also taken into account Meursault! A certain level of pleasure from eating and drinking, smoking cigarettes, sitting on his.. Existentialism are witnessed in the Stranger everyone dies and realizing this allows to! Decide accordingly s isolation among an indifferent universe reflects on them realizing this allows you live! Found guilty and he is convicted and sentenced because of his unrelenting uniqueness and this... S the Stranger isolation among an indifferent universe should be enabled at all times that. With action and there were no direct reasons given for certain actions Christian.. 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