Monsieur Antichrist

Camus's The Stranger is an interesting book that examines the actual viability of a truly existentialist man existing within society. Camus proves that society not only rejects an existentialist but seeks to exterminate the existentialist as a result of the immense threat they posses to the core of society. Camus proves this by examining Meursault's conversations with the clerk. "He said it was impossible; all men believe in God, even those who turn their backs on him. That was his belief, and if he were ever to doubt it, his life would become meaningless" (69). The clerk within this passage stands to represent society. Meursault's rejection of God (or societal values), repulses him. It shakes the clerk to his foundation, for if by any small chance that Meursault is right, this means that everything he has stood for is false. The core that society is built around is rotten. And this not only repulses the clerk (and by extension, society), it scares them immensely. Meursault stands as a constant reminder to the fact that their society must be flawed. That is why Meursault must be killed. After all, it is much easier to persecute one person than change society.