While Raymond is actually beating "the girl" up, Meursault watches indifferently and does nothing to help her. In fact, he actively does not call for help even when Marie asks him to. When the police do arrive, Raymond looks to Meursault for approval to follow the cop's orders. It is very clear that Raymond feels no sympathy for the woman that he has just brutally assaulted. It is also clear that Raymond is incredibly insecure about his standing as a man and feels the need to constantly remind others of his "manliness" by controlling women and engaging in violence.
What is even more disturbing is Meursault's reaction to Raymond's actions. He too seems to view this woman as deserving of punishment. Let us not forget that is was never actually confirmed whether or not "the girl" ever actually cheated on Raymond. On page 37, Meursault tells Raymond that "he ought to be happy" about his perceived accomplishments. It is also noteworthy that these two men deemed this woman deserving of such merciless violence. To them, she us subhuman: a sex object. Even when Raymond was describing the nature of their remaining relationship, he said he "still had sexual feelings for her" (page 31). The idea of Raymond admitting to having an emotional connection to her would push him too far out of his comfortable yet constraining masculinity.
DQ: What role does Marie play in Meursault's ability to recognize or understand women? Do you think that Marie will help him understand his mother better? Through their relationship will he develop empathy for the victim of Raymond's abuse?
Unfortunately, I don't think that Marie's presence in Mersault's life will change much about him. I don't think that Mersault really thinks or feels very deeply about his relationship to Marie or Marie in general. I also don't think Marie really feels empathy for the woman abused by Raymond. She voices that it's awful, but does she really care that much? She does nothing when Mersault refuses to call the cops and then later goes on vaca with Raymond! The misogyny in this book is so normalized that even the women are sucked in.
ReplyDeleteI think that at this point in the book, Marie does not really play an important role in Meursault's life (especially regarding his ability to recognize and understand women). Through Meursault's narration we never really are lead into intellectual or emotional discussions between the two. It seems like Meursault is indifferent to Marie and values her as just a sexual partner; when it is clear that Marie wants more than that. However this also leads me to wonder whether or not he actually is indifferent to her, or just struggling to keep his masculinity in check.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your argument that both Meursault and Raymond view women as "less than." I also think your question on whether or not Marie's presence in Meursault's life will affect him is interesting. On one hand, from what we have expereinced from Meursault's interactions with Marie, he is not emotionally invested and is constantly commenting on her appearance and sexuality. But, throughout the first six chapters Marie tries to open up Meursault and asks questions of love and commitment. While Meursault doesn't agree that marriage or commitment should be taken with high value, I do think Marie will be able to force him to acknowledge and understand women.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your article. Sadly, I do not think Marie will play much of a role of helping Meursault understand and recognize women. Throughout the book, Marie and Meursault do not really have meaningful conversations. When they do talk, the conversation is very one-sided with Marie being excited about something and Meursault just casually agreeing. When Meursault does think about Marie, he usually describes how she looks.
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