The Stranger

Definition

The Stranger is a novel by Albert Camus, published in 1942, which centers around the character Meursault, an emotionally detached man who experiences a profound disconnection from the world around him. This novel embodies themes of absurdism, existentialism, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe, making it a significant work within post-war and postcolonial literature that reflects on human experience after the trauma of war and colonialism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Meursault's emotional detachment is evident from the beginning of the story, where he shows little grief at his mother's death and is indifferent to societal expectations.
2. The novel challenges traditional narrative structure, using a first-person perspective that gives insight into Meursault's thoughts while also emphasizing his disconnection from reality.
3. Camus' philosophy of the absurd is reflected in Meursault's trial, where the focus shifts from the murder he committed to his character and emotional responses.
4. The Stranger has been interpreted as a critique of colonialism, reflecting on how individuals can become disconnected from their own humanity within oppressive societal structures.
5. The novel ends with Meursault's acceptance of life's absurdity and his embrace of his own freedom in an indifferent universe.

Review Questions

• How does Meursault's character embody the themes of absurdism and existentialism in The Stranger?
  • Meursault embodies absurdism through his emotional detachment and indifference to societal norms. His actions and reactions highlight the conflict between human beings' desire for meaning and the universe's lack of inherent purpose. This existential perspective is evident during his trial, where instead of focusing on his crime, the emphasis is placed on his character and how he doesn't conform to societal expectations, ultimately demonstrating the absurdity of trying to impose meaning on life.
• Analyze how The Stranger reflects post-war existential concerns regarding identity and alienation.
  • The Stranger captures post-war existential concerns by illustrating Meursault's alienation from society. Following the trauma of war, many individuals faced identity crises as traditional values were questioned. Meursault's detached demeanor symbolizes a broader sense of loss and disconnection experienced by people during this time. The novel's portrayal of his trial emphasizes societal judgment based on conformity rather than moral culpability, illustrating how alienation impacts one's identity in a rapidly changing world.
• Evaluate how Camus' philosophical ideas are presented in The Stranger and their relevance to postcolonial discourse.
  • Camus' philosophical ideas in The Stranger are presented through Meursault's journey towards acceptance of life's inherent absurdity. This resonates with postcolonial discourse by questioning established narratives and highlighting individual experience within oppressive systems. The character's struggle against societal norms reflects the challenges faced by those living in postcolonial contexts, where identities are often fragmented. By exploring themes of alienation and existential freedom, Camus invites readers to reconsider their own understanding of meaning within a complex world shaped by history and colonial legacies.

Related terms

Absurdism: A philosophical perspective that emphasizes the conflict between human beings' desire to find inherent meaning in life and the universe's indifferent nature.

Existentialism: A philosophical movement that focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice, often exploring themes of absurdity and the search for meaning.

Alienation: A feeling of estrangement or disconnection from society, oneself, or one's surroundings, often explored in literature as a key theme reflecting modern human experience.