"How is the theme of 'universal indifference' portrayed in The Outsider and Candide"?

Kirby Kruger "How is the theme of 'universal indifference' portrayed in The Outsider and Candide"? Albert Camus's thought-provoking story of The Outsider and Voltaire's whimsical satire Candide both question faith and mankind's tendency to explain away events through the mystical nature of spirituality. Both authors seem to consider the idea of evil as part of a Divine Plan, or as an ultimate cause of good, as weak, and on the whole, unsatisfactory. They respond differently to this, though; Camus rejects religion completely, while Voltaire approaches the notion more cautiously by mocking mankind's fickle justifications for evil and blind faith. The first section of The Outsider almost seems irrelevant to the philosophical climax that dramatically completes Meursault's simple character. Through the striking contrast of the initial structure and fallaciously predictable content of the earlier sections, Camus delivers the message unexpectedly and dramatically. As a first-person narrative, the reader expects to finish the book with Meursault sincerely narrating his unremarkable life as he grows accustomed to jail; yet the change of setting does not really bring upon any renewed interest. Instead, the subtle introduction of the Patrician, whose irrational and blatantly irritable beliefs eventually annoy Meursault to the point of an philosophical outburst, whereby he declares

  • Word count: 1759
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The Stranger by Albert Camus. Immediately hes judged just because he doesnt seem to act the same as others wouldve if they were in his situation

Adewonuola Adesanya July 2012 AP Literature and Composition Summer reading: The Stranger by Albert Camus Question1 In Literature there comes a time where a character seems to always be the target and is continually placed in situations which aren’t good. The character may have done wrong, but far worse happens to the character. The character therefore is …. “A man more sinn’d against than sinning” Monsieur Meursault is a character whose mother just died and he doesn’t seem to know the exact date. Maybe it‘s some sort of coping mechanism to deal with the loss of someone close to him, but it doesn’t seem normal to those around him. Immediately he’s judged just because he doesn’t seem to act the same as others would’ve if they were in his situation. “But I hesitated, because I didn’t know if I could do it with Maman right there. I thought about it; it didn’t matter. I offered the caretaker a cigarette and we smoked.”This is just the beginning of his down fall, his bad decision making is seen and he chose to smoke even though he knew it wasn’t appropriate at his mother’s funeral. “I remember opening my eyes at one point and seeing that all the old people were slumped over asleep..who was staring at me as if he were just waiting for me to

  • Word count: 885
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How Sebastian Faulks uses language in "Birdsong"

Critical Analysis: Language Birdsong Throughout the novel, Sebastian Faulks makes use of poetic language and tools to create atmosphere and give his descriptions more power and imagination. He also uses symbolic language to subliminally inform or remind the reader of certain points of interest. An example of this can be seen right at the beginning of the novel in the description of the house in which the Azaire family live. Faulks tells us that it is a ‘strong, formal’ building, behind which hide ‘unseen footsteps’. These descriptions afford the house similar qualities to its owners, namely strength and mystery, but also imply hidden intrigues. This immediately telegraphs that something secretive may be about to happen within the walls of this building. Creating realistic tension or atmosphere is vital in a novel of this type, where the reader could otherwise never hope to fully understand the motivations behind the actions of the characters involved. Faulks achieves this in several sections of the novel, most notably during the boat trip on the River Somme, where he creates a sultry, sensuous, indulgent atmosphere, in which the tension between Isabelle and Stephen becomes almost too great for them to tolerate. In addition, he adds to this by introducing elements which will later relate to the First World War, and in doing so, ensures that when the reader reaches

  • Word count: 947
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How are the Protagonists of Perfume and The Outsider portrayed as outsiders?

How are the Protagonists of Perfume and The Outsider portrayed as outsiders? In the novel Perfume by Patrick S?skind, the protagonist Grenouille has this ambition to create the ultimate scent. It is this sheer ambition of his that leads him on an epic journey. The protagonist of The Outsider by Albert Camus is Mersault. They are portrayed as outsiders through their actions and reactions to situations. Although they are alike in difference to society, there is a clear distinction between the two characters on a more personal level. Grenouille is born into squalor. He is the unwanted son of a fish-market worker. 'Grenouille's mother wished that it were already over,' this shows that Grenouille is not born out of love and is unwanted. This is different to the many as families wish to have children but Grenouille is not wanted. This could be reflective of Süskind's vie that society would not accept Grenouille as he is far different to the average man. Süskind is illustrating society's intolerance of difference. A startling point is that Mersault describes the journey to his mothers' home as more of a hindrance than an unhappy occasion. 'I had to go up to Emmanuel's place to borrow a black tie and armband.' Any other person would have expressed deep hurt and anguish. Again Mersault is illuminated in a light of difference, of not being like everyone else. Grenouille, is also

  • Word count: 1287
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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In Camus’ The Plague, for what, in your view, is the plague the most successful metaphor?

Jonathan Willers Siân Miles Aspects of French and German Literature May 2002 In Camus' The Plague, for what, in your view, is the plague the most successful metaphor? When The Plague was first published in 1947, it was evident to most people what Albert Camus had set out to do. For them, the novel was purely an allegory of France during the Second World War, charting the rise of Nazism, the efforts of the Resistance in the face of oppression, and the eventual decline and withdrawal of German occupying forces. In this essay, however, I will put forward the idea that although The Plague does closely resemble France during the occupation, the novel is in fact much more than that: not only is it an allegory of war, but also a comment on the absurdity of the world around us, religion, and, most importantly, the human condition. In many ways, The Plague is a reflection of Camus' own life. Although the novel was first published in its entire form in 1947, smaller versions appeared before then, and even during the war. In his article on Camus' work, Tony Judt argues that Camus' own political and wartime experiences shape the themes of the novel. In November 1942, for example, while Camus was convalescing in the Massif Central, Allied troops landed in North Africa and the Germans responded in turn by occupying Southern France. Algeria was cut off from the mainland and Camus

  • Word count: 3270
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The Life and Times of Albert Camus.

Abstract: Albert Camus was born in Mondovi, Algeria on seven November, 1913. Ever since his childhood he has shown interest in literature and end up in journalism. In 1936 Camus received his diploma from the University of Algiers in philosophy. Camus's first book. L'ENVERS ET L'ENDROIT, a collection of essays, appeared in 1937. By this time Camus's reputation in Algeria as a leading writer was growing. He was also active in theater. In 1938 Camus moved to France, and divorced his first wife, Simone Hié, who was a morphine addict the next year. From 1938 to 1940 Camus worked for the Alger-Républicain and in 1940 for Paris-Soir. He married Francine Faure in 1940 and taught in Oran, Algeria, in 1942. During WW II Camus was member of the French resistance. He was a reader and editor of Espoir series at Gallimard publisher from 1943 and founded with Sartre the left-wing newspaper Combat, serving as its editor. His second novel, The Stranger, which he had begun in Algeria before the war, appeared in 1942. It has been considered one of the greatest. In 1947 Camus resigned from Combat and published his third novel, The Plague an allegory of the Nazi occupation of France. After his break with Sartre (Founder of Combat). Camus wrote The Rebel, which appeared in 1951 and which explores the theories and forms of humanity's revolt against authority. From 1955 to 1956 Camus worked as a

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Albert Camus and his Philosophy of the Absurd

Philosophy 255: Moral Psychology Albert Camus and his Philosophy of the Absurd Writer Albert Camus and his philosophy of the absurd present an interesting twist on moral psychology. Whereas classical Western philosophers such as Plato and Socrates argued a moral obligation to "the good life" and the existence of an absolute common human (moral) nature, Camus suggests that life is absurd, and in fact almost meaningless. The only meaning or value he gives to human life is the pure joy of living in a world with which man is connected. He rejects religious belief and existentialism, which in his view serve only to support and even glorify the irrational. He puts forth a moral psychology which involves accepting and even embracing the absurdity of one's life, and simply living one's time as fully and intensely as possible. Camus' s argument maintains that any course of action is acceptable, as long as one faces whatever consequences may follow. This philosophy, and his related works of both fiction and non-fiction, is intriguing in that it is radically different from classical moral psychology and ethics. In order to understand fully the implications of Camus's philosophy for "the good life," should there be one at all, one must systematically examine all of his writings. No single work can be said to contain the "gist" of Camus's idea; Camus worked his whole life on developing

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The Myth of Sisyphus

The Myth of Sisyphus Sisyphus is the absurd hero. This man, sentenced to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain and then watching it roll back down, is the epitome of the absurd hero according to Camus. In retelling the Myth of Sisyphus, Camus is able to create an extremely powerful image which sums up the intellectual discussion which comes before it in the book. We are told that Sisyphus is the absurd hero "as much through his passions as through his torture. His scorn of the gods, his hatred of death, and his passion for life won him that unspeakable penalty in which the whole being is exerted toward accomplishing nothing." (p.89). Sisyphus is conscious of his troubles , and this is the real tragedy.If, during the moments of descent, he had some hope that he might still succeed, then his hard work would not seem such a torture. Sisyphus is clearly well aware of the level of his own misery. It is this clear recognition of his destiny that transforms his agony into his victory. It has to be a victory for as Camus says: I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain! One always finds one's burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile. Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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What is dystopian fiction?

Caroline Rehn What is dystopian fiction? Dystopian fiction, habitually envisions elements of contemporary society, the issues they hold and how they might perturb or affect the future. Often, dystopian literature highlights political structure and signifies a warning for the current, existing world. A dystopian civilisation is often instigated by a terrible event, for example a natural disaster or war. A dystopian novel may be post-apocalyptic or apocalyptic, usually referring to an unpleasant or agonising forthcoming eventuality. In ‘The Road’ by Cormac McCarthy we are uncertain of the prospects the future holds, the world they live in is described as “godless”, and doesn’t seem suggestive of any kind of hope or life. The conditions are harsh and the protagonist “hadn’t kept a calendar for years”, as he saw no purpose for having one seeing as it would be futile to keep a calendar as in his world. Life is unfulfilling and time in effect stands still, in the aspect of recreation and enjoyment, yet ‘survival’ appears to be their primal focus and instinct. Frequently, there is an illusion of the perfect world, a utopia, but the reality is a place of discordance and hostility. Society’s intention and longing might be to emulate the stability of a utopia, through the extreme social and political structure. The sophisticated housing of ‘Victory

  • Word count: 508
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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