From the first sentence, it is clear to us that Meursault is not only emotionally distant, but insensitive. His lack of empathy for other beings could contribute to an argument of his potential to be a sociopath.
Many instances where his emotional insensitivity is obvious are used as evidence against him in his trial, and many of them have to do with his inability to mourn the death of his mother.
Despite all of this, Meursault experiences physical sensations incredibly intensely. One could even argue that the only meaning in his life is what he experiences physically.
This is what makes his narration style so unique; he is emotionless and yet stupendously passionate. This is why he is both the most and least sensitive human being to ever have been imagined.
I hadn't really thought about it like that before, but it completely makes sense. He never displays any emotion, but he takes great pleasure in physical and mental activities. His relationship with Marie is an example of this, and I think that the day that he spends looking out his window is another. He can do fine in any situation because he can always pass the time by himself with old memories and new observations.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about this topic too and I entirely agree with you! I too feel that Meursault feels only things that he experiences physically. I also argued that he is the most sensitive/least sensitive human ever to exist, and through the story it is a contradiction of his intense emotions and subtle ones.
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