Meursault Is An Absurdism - 1499 Words

In a universe full of chaos and injustice, society imposes an unspoken order in attempt to control the unknown. Everything must have an explanation, whether justified through social, scientific, or religious means. This notion creates expectations for how people should emotionally respond to events around them. However, when one does not conform to these expectations, a complex conflict arises between that individual and the surrounding society. The Stranger, a translated novella by Albert Camus, takes place in the early 1940s and revolves around Meursault, a French Algerian. Developed through a presentation of his own thoughts, it grows clear that Meursault is an absurdist. He believes that his actions lack significance, refuses to†¦show more content†¦The funeral director is the first to discuss this with him, critically stating, â€Å"You don’t have to justify yourself, my dear boy. I’ve read your mother’s file,† (Camus 4). By leaving Maman under the care of the senior home, Meursault should feel guilty for his actions since he was his mother’s â€Å"sole support† (Camus 4). However, he feels no guilt, similar to how he lacks any sentiment of sorrow during the processions. Individuals of society are conditioned to have a specific pattern of emotional responses elicited by inevitable yet critical life events. Regardless of whether genuinely affected or not, all are expecte d to conform to these behaviors. Thus, it is what Meursault does not do that makes his character such a prominent cause of concern in the context of the literary work. The absence of an emotional relationship with Maman develops justification as to why Meursault did not cry at her funeral, nor feel culpability for placing her in the nursing home. Camus develops the social outcast aspect of his character through these instances of defiance to social rituals. It is significant to consider how although Meursault s preoccupations are unusual, he still runs through the motions of cultural norms. He attends the funeral, has a girlfriend, and enjoyed the companionship of his friend Raymond. The real threat of hisShow MoreRelatedCamus Philosophical View Of Absurdism In Meursaults The Stranger1175 Words   |  5 Pagescharacter Meursault. No opening sentences of the novel and body somersaults absurdist outlook on life, his emotional indifference and detachment to people, and his passive be quiet alienation from the rest of society. he doesnt even know which day his mother died and to him it, ‘doesnt mean anything’ anyway. Throughout this novel camus explains to us through the actions of his main character, what he meant by the game. 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