Before reading The Stranger, I expected it to be full of binary relationships and have a main character struggling with identity like the short stories we read. After the first three chapters, Monsieur Meursault seems to be struggling with his identity, but for a different reason than the characters in the short stories.
Rather than being surrounded by binary relationships, Monsieur Meursault seems to avoid having any close relationships. He describes his friends Emmanuel and Céleste from an impersonal view. Additionally, his relationship with Marie Cardona, his crush, is distant. Meursault has a bad kiss with Marie at the movie theater, and although they go back to his apartment together, Marie is gone in the morning before he wakes up. Even after the death of his mother, Meursault was not very upset, and agreed with his neighbor that it was "bound to happen sooner or later".
In regards to personal development, Meursault seems to be just as far behind as the characters in binary relationships. He makes me wonder which one is more damaging, being stuck in power relationships or avoiding close relationships altogether. In both scenarios, the person cannot truly understand others or be understood by others. As the book progresses, I hope Meursault forms closer relationships with those around him so that he can establish and develop his personal identity.
The existentialism in the book seems miles away from Jessica Benjamin and her binaries. The question is not really of the binaries that exist and mutual recognition but more about if personal relationships are really personal. It's more about finding the relevance of other people in your own life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Meursault seems to avoid any relationships, but I think in a way he stil does experience binaries. Throughout his whole prison experience he falls victim to various binaries such as prisoner/Jailer, defendant/Judge, etc. Whether he recognizes it or not, Meursault falls victim to binaries despite his attempts to avoid close relationships.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Meursault seems to avoid any relationships, but I think in a way he stil does experience binaries. Throughout his whole prison experience he falls victim to various binaries such as prisoner/Jailer, defendant/Judge, etc. Whether he recognizes it or not, Meursault falls victim to binaries despite his attempts to avoid close relationships.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your idea. We read about how damaging binary relationships can be, but I think that not having any close relationships can be just as damaging, since most of the damage is done by yourself. I also think you end up causing more damage to others when you avoid it, like how Meursault hurts Marie with his lack of emotions towards her.
ReplyDeleteI think that Meursault strays away from personal relationships in order to protect himself. For example, when Maman dies, it is much easier to agree that it was "bound to happen sooner or later," rather than deal with the grief of losing a loved one. I wish we could read from the perspective of Marie, or Meursault's mother, to see how they felt about their relationship with Meursault.
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