Conflict, Conflict, Conflict: An Examination of the Protagonist's Struggle in The Stranger and Siddhartha

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Rosario

World Literature Assignment #1

Conflict, Conflict, Conflict:

An Examination of the Protagonist's Struggle

Against Society, Nature, and Himself

In The Stranger and Siddhartha

Angela Rosario

Candidate #_________

April 14, 2009

Mr. Ross Klongerbo

Completed in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For International Baccalaureate Language A1

Word Count: 1,497

        Throughout a person's life, one usually encounters numerous forms of adversity instigated by others, their surroundings, and his or herself. It is these encounters which allow a person to obtain a deeper understanding of his or her over-all purpose in life, sometimes referred to as the "hour of consciousness" or the "hour of [...] enlightenment" (Camus, "The Myth of Sisyphus" 89; Hesse 34). This notion remains true within Albert Camus' The Stranger and Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha as the protagonists of each novel journey towards self-discovery. The protagonist in The Stranger has to come to terms with his life in order to reach the "hour of consciousness." In Siddhartha, the protagonist must overcome the thirst for knowledge along his journey towards the "hour of [...] enlightenment." In both works, the protagonists of the novels are forced to struggle through various life-altering conflicts within society, nature, and themselves in order to reach the point at which they reach full understanding of the meaning and purpose of their lives.

        Within both novels, the protagonists struggle against societal conventions as they try to make sense of their own lives. The Stranger portrays the protagonist Meursault as an outsider due to his unique outlook on life and inability to understand his society. As the novel opens, Meursault attends his mother’s funeral, where he shows very little grief. Meursault is, in fact, annoyed by those around him who do show their grief and "wishe[s he] didn't have to listen to [them] anymore" (Camus, The Stranger 10). While Meursault reacts to his mother's death in the way that is most natural to him, nonchalant indifference, it is not acceptable for society which demands some visible form of sadness. Towards the end of the novel, Meursault is put on trial for murder and meets with his lawyer where the two begin to discuss Meursault's mother's death. Meursault explains, he "probably did love [his mother], but that [it] didn't mean anything, [because...] all normal people wish their loved ones were dead" (Camus, The Stranger 65). Within society it is normal for one to wish that a loved one does not suffer through a painful, life-threatening situation, however, Meursault instead wishes for his mother’s death due to the annoyance she once posed. Although Meursault is being completely honest with his lawyer and is alluding to a common thought, he phrases it incorrectly and further alienates himself from society.  

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        Similarly, within Siddhartha, Siddhartha embarks on a journey of self discovery, away from the path of society. Siddhartha is unfulfilled living amongst the Brahmins and one day asks his father's permission to join the travelling ascetics, the Samanas. His father refuses because the Samanas lead a life-style so different from the one society demands, however, he soon allows Siddhartha to leave after realizing that "he [has] already left him" (Hesse 12). Siddhartha's spiritual beliefs and desire to obtain enlightenment force him to alienate himself from society in order to achieve his goal. Years later, however, Siddhartha leaves the Samanas and ...

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