Existentialism is a powerful theory that can translate into a lens to read The Stranger through. Without this lens, I see Meursault as an outcast of society that is emotionless, miserable, and indifferent to the world. Once introduced to existentialism, I still see Meursault as an outcast, but he finds joy in his life in non traditional ways. His indifference to the many systems such as friendship, family, and love, and focus on the fact that death is inevitable for all living things, allows him to live by the absolute truth.
In the chapter of the text when Meursault is on trial, Camus argues that concrete relationships are not necessary for happiness. He argues this through Meursault's internal monologue, "I was assailed by memories of a life that wasn't mine anymore, but one in which I'd found the simplest and most lasting joys: the smells of summer, the part of town I loved, a certain evening sky, Marie's dresses and the way she laughed" (104). Meursault got joy out of spending time with Marie in absence of marriage, and he enjoyed where he lived in absence of a fancy job opportunity in Paris. One part later on in the chapter suggested to me a flicker of Meursault's entanglement with Marie. The scene is in his cell. He said he searched for Marie's face in vain. I think this shows that in Meursault's case, long term relationships failed him but he could still be happy through smaller moments.
Also it seems that Meursault achieves an existentialist lifestyle, he is not a true existentialist because he is dependent on those around him. His epiphany and long speech about the meaninglessness of life was prompted by another person: the magistrate. His vision of the perfect execution includes people greeting him with "cries of hate".
Existentialism loosens the reins on how to live your life by encouraging one to live by his or her own set of rules. A common saying is ignorance is bliss, but Meursault seems to live by, absolute truth is bliss.
What do you think?
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