Friday, October 20, 2017

The Stranger and Mutual Recognition

In The Stranger, Meursault tries to live an independent life without other people. He creates an identity that is solely his own. This style of life is entirely opposite the framework of identity posited by Jessica Benjamin in The Bonds of Love. Benjamin argues that one must create their identity through recognizing all others as full subjects in their own right. This sort of identity requires others to be part of your life.

Meursault does not recognize anyone other than himself. He truly subscribes to an objective view of others. They are either helpful to him or no and that's how he determines value. This is demonstrated through his view of the tediousness of visiting his mother and how he feels about his "friends" Celeste and Raymond. Because of this view, he cannot achieve a fulfilling identity according to Benjamin.  

How else do Benjamin's theories apply to The Stranger? Where does Meursault get involved of relationships of domination?

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