How the Outsider is Pessimistic.
Ryan Sy
English 1-2
Mrs. Ching
January 30, 2004
Essay: How the Outsider is Pessimistic
The Outsider in itself is an exemplary piece displaying the foremost ideals of existentialism. Meursault is used as an existentialist character in the fact that he makes his own decisions and is not influenced by the standards of the outside world. He believes that life is what he makes of it, but at the same time knows that everything in life is simply pointless and absurd. This can be seen in Meursault's actions and in the way he regards the individuals around him. Meursault's beliefs regarding life and death, other people, and the characterization and techniques used by Camus, further emphasize the pessimistic and depressing nature of "The Outsider".
One key aspect of existentialism is the belief that man is "just one object in a world of objects. 50 years in a million. The fulfillment one gains within his life will mean nothing in the long run. One might as well commit suicide." Basically what this means is that life is empty and that any achievements one gains in life will be gone in death. This idea is represented through Meurault's reaction towards his mother's death, and even his own upcoming execution.
When interviewed by his lawyer about his feelings when his mother died, Meursault replies, "I probably loved mother quite a lot, but that didn't mean anything." This line in itself states that losing his mother meant very little to him, and that he didn't even feel grief at all when his mother had died. This represents a very pessimistic view on life- that it is meaningless. Meurault obviously loved his mother while she was alive, but simply let go of her after she had died. She lost all her worth to him after dying.
Before his ...
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When interviewed by his lawyer about his feelings when his mother died, Meursault replies, "I probably loved mother quite a lot, but that didn't mean anything." This line in itself states that losing his mother meant very little to him, and that he didn't even feel grief at all when his mother had died. This represents a very pessimistic view on life- that it is meaningless. Meurault obviously loved his mother while she was alive, but simply let go of her after she had died. She lost all her worth to him after dying.
Before his execution, as he is in his jail cell, Meursault once again demerits the worth of human life. He tells himself, "Well then I'll die. Sooner than other people, obviously. But everybody knows that life isn't worth living... It doesn't matter very much whether you die at thirty or at seventy since, in either case, other men and women will naturally go on living..." Once again, this presents the depressing reality that everyone will eventually die. Also, that life is useless, because nobody ever gets anything important done within their lifetime. This is why Meurault overall feels little fear or regret at the fact that he is going to die. In fact, he accepts that everyone he knew would soon end up forgetting him. In his words, "They had nothing more to do with me. I couldn't even say that this was hard to accept"
Meursault's attitude towards his girlfriend, Marie, also reinforces the pessimism found in this story. In fact, Meursault cannot even express any feelings of affection towards her, even when she loves him so much. When Marie asks him if he loves her, his reaction is, "I told her it didn't mean anything, but that I didn't". Many individuals today see love as a meaning of life, but Meursault regards it as insignificant. If he sees love and life as completely unimportant, then what does he actually value? So far, it seems like everything is unimportant to him.
Finally, the language and characterization used in Camus's novel emphasize the lackluster reality that is human life. Meursault's uncaring personality is already evidence that life is meaningless. The language is depressing and extremely unemotional, and Meursault sounds almost like a robot. The decisions he makes and the things that he says affect everybody around him, but seem to not affect him at all. Camus uses phrases like, "It didn't seem to matter", "I didn't really care", and "I didn't mind" excessively throughout the novel. The surroundings in the story are vivid and colorful, and yet the character of Meurault is very plain and almost dark. This is all used to expose the truth that human society makes essence, which governs the life of every individual. By not complying with this, one becomes different, and an outsider.
It is true that most readers of this book will see Meursault as strange and very robotic. But this wouldn't make any difference at all because life around him will go on nevertheless. Life is pointless and nobody ever finds true fulfillment throughout their lifetime. Simple joys like watching people through one's window or collecting magazines may be all a person may truly long for. This novel shows this pessimistic, but true fact- that life really is not worth living.
