In Camus' The Stranger, Camus asserts that regular society is discomforted and appauled with existentialist ideas. The protagonist of The Stranger is an algerian frenchman named Mersault who does not care for common social constructs such as love, lying, and sorrow. Mersault rejects these ideas many times throughout the novel.
During a meeting with his lawyer, his lawyer asks him to lie in court, of course Mersault refueses too. "He gave me a strange look, as if he found me slightly disgustying" (66). His lawyer's response of his refusal to lie illustrates the rejection and confusion that Mersault's ideology is faced with whenever Mersault acts on his beliefs.
Another moment in the novel where Mersault's ideas are met with confusion is when Marie, his girlfriend, asks him if he loves her he responds by stating that "It didn't make any difference to me," (41). To which she responds with, "You are very peculiar" (42). Marie's confusion is the same confusion that most characters in the book find when they spend more than a few minutes with Mersault.
Camus asserts that the common population is not ready to accept the ideas of existentialism spouted by Mersault throughout his perilous journey to the guillotine.
I totally agree with the confusion one is bound to feel within only a little bit of time spent with Meaursault. Also I think your final statement is super interesting as well as well written.
ReplyDeleteMeursault left a mark on everyone he encountered and I agree that it shows the world isn't ready to accept these ideas.
ReplyDeleteI agree. His rejection of the usual social constructs are obvious, and I think Camus is definitely making a social commentary
ReplyDeleteI think this also shows the importance of social connection along with the physical.
ReplyDeleteWith Meursault's persistent lack of emotion or care towards anything in the world, he lacks that social bond with most every one of his interactions. Whether this be because of their awareness of his existential values or those values effects on his ability to interact socially and genuinely, it definitely makes an impact on his human interactions throughout the story.