Thursday, October 1, 2015
Impending Death Causes Happiness
During his epiphany before his execution, Meursault asserts that impending death do not have to cause sadness and even that it can lead to happiness. Clearly evident in Meursault's words, he writes, “Even there, in that home where lives were fading out, evening was a kind of wistful respite. So close to death, Maman must have felt free then and ready to live it all again “ (122). While living in the home, Maman is constantly reminded of her impending death by the numerous other citizens dying. Maman does not let these reminders of death influence her life in a negative way. In fact Meursault says that Mamen takes a fiance so late in her life. Mamen’s proximity to death combine with an acceptance of that death directly relate to Mamen’s happiness.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I strongly agree with your analysis. I think the idea that death can be liberating is especially powerful, and I think it is interesting to see how Meursault is more like Maman than I think he or the reader realizes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your analysis. However, I think that the opposite could also be argued. His perception of Maman's readiness to live life all over again could be reflecting his urge to want more life than was given him. In the context of the line, it does seem that it is more liberating but through further analysis this line could contradict itself.
ReplyDeleteI think the way you analyze Camus' perspective is very persuasive. The most intriguing part of your argument in my opinion is that Maman's closeness with death is what desensitizes Mersault from death.
ReplyDelete