“Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” (1)
The uncertainty of the time of his mother’s death doesn’t seem to trouble Meursault as he carries on to say “That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.” (1). His emotional disregard links to the idea of existentialism as he only worried about his physical well-being. Throughout the whole novel, the reoccurring incident that captures a reaction from Meursault is the weather. Existentialists live to get the best physical pleasure that the Earth offers and are only concerned about their physical surroundings which is highlighted in this quote.
“… and on top of that the bumpy ride, the smell of gasoline, and the glare of the sky and the road, that I dozed off.” (2)
The next aspect of the novel that lead me to think it was an existentialist text was the fact that Meursault was living without a sense of time. He had no thoughts of the past and considerations for the future but rather experiencing life in present time. The climax of the novel highlights this aspect as Meursault senselessly murders the Arab with no thoughts of the consequences that would be faced for it. His thoughts do not comply with those of society’s who functions on rational behavior. Meursault does not find life to be as worthy as it is to society and one continues to live their life with no remorse if someone else dies. The trial for the murder of the Arab gives the reader Meursault’s thoughts on death as he simply states the crime with no pity while the magistrate is left alarmed with his lack of incentive to the killing.
Lastly, the lack of presence of religion in Meursault’s life adds to the aspect of existentialism as it doesn’t believe in a superior being which dictates how they live their physical lives. The dispute with the priest after Meursault’s conviction strengthens the philosophy of existentialism
“He (the priest) wasn’t even sure he was alive, because he was living like a dead man.” (120)
As Meursault mentions that the priest “was living like a dead man” suggests that he feels as if the priest has allowed religion to hinder his physical life as it restricts him from certain activities and proposes many consequences for “sinning” which includes murder. Meursault believes that the priest was not experiencing all the physical pleasure the Earth had to offer.
Finally, Meursault’s acceptance of his own death summarizes his lack of emotion as the majority of society dreads the idea of the afterlife. Yet, Meursault still doesn’t let the emotional idea of the end of his life affect his present physical life.
by
ibstefan (student)
