Existentialism in The Stranger

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                                      Existentialism in The StrangerIt was Camus who first introduced the idea of absurdity into the realm of existentialism. 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. The philosophy of 'The Outsider' is a philosophy of the absurd. Its protagonist, Monsieur Meursault; a middle class bachelor with a painfully simple life, is viewed as indifferent in the eyes of society. He does not care and is not ashamed of it. But his indifference is not one of callousness but stems instead from the 'benign indifference of the universe' in relations to his own existence. Camus has wittingly created his main character as a reflection of his own moral axiom: that life is absurd and nothing else matters besides ones own conscious existence. Meursault is a stranger, an outsider, one who is at constant odds with the absurd society he inhabits. Yet the circumstances he faces mold his perceptions of society and life and shape his consciousness, compelling him to come to terms with his own philosophy of life and to finally make peace with himself. In the early part of the book, the reader sees a Mesault devoid of a spoken consciousness and one who feels total adversity towards society and vice versa. Camus has juxtaposed his character against the norms of society to bring out his stark differences through the usage of Meursault's uncanny ability to register cold, hard facts. Meursault refuses to spend the time and effort required in connecting these facts. This narrative effect can be seen from the opening passage, "Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday; I don't know. I had a telegram from the home: 'Mother passed away. Funeral tomorrow. Yours sincerely.' That doesn't mean anything. It may have been yesterday." Here, we see Meursault's shocking indifference to his mother's death and his event stating quality. He merely recounts the dubious facts of his mother's death as plainly as the telegram had stated it. Throughout the whole process of his attending the funeral is treated with the same jarring coldness. Events and conversation are retold in a
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photo-journalistic like frankness, chronologically precise from the moment he catches the bus to time when he crawls into bed. Meursault is also one who has virtually no emotion, detached from basic human experiences of love and affection. This can be seen when his fiancee, Marie, provokes an answer, "She asked me again if I loved her. I replied, much before, that her question meant nothing or next to nothing- but I supposed I didn't." Curious, she then asks, "Suppose another girl had asked you to marry her- mean, a girl you liked in the same way as you like me- ...

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