The Stranger shows Meursault to be interested far more in the physical aspects of the world around him than in its social or emotional aspects. This focus on the sensate world results from the novel’s assertion that there exists no higher meaning or order to human life. Throughout The Stranger, Meursault’s attention centers on his own body, on his physical relationship with Marie, on the weather, and on other physical elements of his surroundings.
When he attends the funeral procession, he writes "the sun was beginning to bear down on the earth and it was getting hotter by the minute... today, with the sun bearing down, making the whole landscape shimmer with heat, it was inhuman and oppressive." (15). The style of Meursault’s narration also reflects his interest in the physical. Though he offers terse, plain descriptions when glossing over emotional or social situations, his descriptions become vivid and ornate when he discusses topics such as nature and the weather. It helps reinforce that only nature is real, everything else is a fallacy.
I noticed that as I was reading too! I find it especially baffling that Meursault is capable of being hyperaware of the physical world but so emotionless at the same time. I think Camus also tried to reinforce the idea that the physical and emotional worlds are completely separate and have no influence on each other.
ReplyDeleteI love the way that Meursault describes the world. The imagery that he uses is astoundingly powerful, especially compared to the way he describes emotions. I find the argument that you have constructed here very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThey way Meursault operates is like an extreme pyramid of needs. He has to have all needs physical met first before he moves on to anything else. It feels like Camus is debunking the pyramid by showing that all needs on one tier can not be completely met.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that his descriptions of his physical surroundings were much more vivid than those of his emotional state. This helps to reinforce the idea that Mersault is detached from everyone else, and only fixates on physical pleasure. The imagery he uses when describing his physical senses is much more detailed, taking up many sentences, whereas he says his emotions in a sentence or two at most. I think the point that you make here is valid and interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems that Camus may be commenting on the actual value of our consciousness and emotional capacities. Could they be merely evolutionary mistakes that allow us to contemplate our purpose and mortality? Which do we want, illuminating knowledge or ignorant bliss?
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