The Little Robot Woman

The little robot woman first draws Meursault's attention because of her meticulous actions. She has jerky movements, speaks quickly, orders her whole meal at once, and pays for it before the check comes, all of which seems to interest Meursault. The obvious reason for his interest is because the woman is acting oddly, different from the societal norm, which tends to attract notice. However I believe Meursault is particularly interested in her because she provides a contrast to himself.

At this point in the novel, the reader has certainly wondered if Meursault is a robot, going through the motions of life, following a routine, never deviating from it to enjoy what he is doing or see the significance of events. This way of life is seen after his mother's funeral when Meursault claims that nothing really changed due to his mother's death as she was not a part of his routine, or really his life, and her death did nothing to change that (24). But the robot woman, despite also acting very robotic, seems to have a sort of motivation or drive that Meursault has never experienced. While the woman goes through life with such purpose that she walks, "with such speed and assurance, never once swerving or looking around" (43), Meursault goes with the flow, allowing life to do what it will to him, as nothing he can do will change the inevitable fact that he, and everyone else, will one day die.

The robot woman is preprogramed, while Meursault becomes an enlightened man, knowingly awaiting his imminent death. She resembles Meursault in her actions, moving through life oblivious to society's judgment or expectations, but she has goals whereas Meursault understands that goals are pointless because we when die our goals die to, so it does not matter if they ever existed. It is because of this differentiation that Meursault is put to death while the little robot woman is allowed to watch him, emotionless as another member of society.