Meursault sees the chaplain that comes to visit him in his cell and the magistrate that presides over the case as more of "dead men" than he, by exposing the artificiality of the chaplain's life.
Meursault denies believing in God, and the magistrate states that this is impossible "all men believed in God", to which Meursault responds "That was his belief, and if he were ever to doubt it, his life would become meaningless"(69). Meursault in an angry outburst of rage tells the chaplain that comes to visit him in his cell that "...none of his certainties was worth one hair of a woman's head"(120).
Meursault shows the fabrication of social constructs especially that of religion in his encounters with two fiercly religious people in the novel. By telling them that if he were to take away organized religion, everything in their life would no longer matter, each of their certainties about their values in life are invented by society.
I am very intrigued by your analysis, I would be really interested to see where you took your argument further. I agree, if so many people are living their lives being reliant on this idea of a God that they have no tangible proof is existing, then that makes life itself artificial. Great job!
ReplyDelete