Life Is Up To You!

I think, more than anything, The Stranger is a book discussing life and everyone's individual interpretation of it. The meaning of life, along with existentialism, is such a cliche yet subjective and personal topic. People will try to force their 'correct' ways of life on you and their interpretations of what the purpose is, much like the Magistrate while questioning Meursault in prison. The way he forced the crucifix in his face showed the fundamental differences between their separate takes on life. As expected, this experience doesn't shake Meausault, I think due to his confidence in his way of life (indifference? Hiding his emotions?). That's something special about him, how obviously strange everyone thinks he is yet he doesn't ever seem to mind, even while facing the jury at his trial. "It took some doing on my part to understand that I was the cause of all the excitement." (84) Moral of the story, be sure of yourself as you can be as well as with life, and for the most part you will be okay!