In making Meursault a stranger from society and the legal system, Camus reveals his philosophy of existentialism. The second and the third theme’s Meursault displays together. Several mundane yet life altering events are also taken into account by Meursault in an existential attitude. It is shown by Meursault, his acceptance, when he 9 1 19. hide. There are numerous meanings to the title, The Stranger, one is that if you live a life different than what society accepts, then you are a stranger; an outcast, and will be punished by the rest of society. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one’s acts. The strongest display of individuality is at the very end of the novel when Meursault wants a large crowd of people to witness his death, and he also wants them to greet him with cries, but those of hate. Since society does not understand him, they cannot know him and therefore he’s a stranger. Nonetheless, this character had the most interesting conflicts that kept me reading. Get Help With Your Essay In the realistic fiction The Things They […], Tim O’Brien is a very diverse writer, he compared the ‘story truth’ and the ‘happening truth’ to illustrate a story to show why most war stories are fictional and the […], Ulric Neisser’s Five Kinds of Self-Knowledge tells about the five distinct selves that all people encounter throughout their lives. Existentialists attempt to direct our attention to ourselves as individuals. A key idea in Existentialism is that we are all responsible for our own actions, which is shown in everyday life. He meets a woman named Marie while swimming the day following Maman’s funeral. This cannot be explained, because no one can explain someone else’s sense of meaning or meaninglessness towards life. Few decisions are without any negative consequences. Faithfully yours.’ That doesn’t mean anything. One aspect that is questionable is our ability to continuously reinvent ourselves through our actions. He is emotionally indifferent to others and, as the prosecutor of his case words it, “a coolly calculating monster. As a result of the diversity of positions associated with this term it is […]. His ideas and beliefs seem wrong but are very right. Certain aspects of existentialism are witnessed in The Stranger. You too? Once again society has rejected him by distorting the truths of the case and trying him for that single event rather than that which he was convicted for. Review for the Mid-book Quiz. In fact, I have never heard of existentialism or absurd philosophy until I researched the author to see what he wanted to tell us. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thinking after reading a book or even coming to his or her own realization like Meursault. Mersault shoots the Arab because of his physical discomfort with his surroundings, but in any case he consciously makes the decision to shoot the Arab. I was able to understand what Albert Camus was trying to say with his philosophy. Meursault is indifferent on the subject as he does not desire more and was not dissatisfied by what he had now. The prosecutor says, “I look into a man’s face and all I see is a monster.” What Meursault has realized, by the end of the book, is that any meaning he finds in life he must create. Meursault sees the outcome as inevitable. Lessons from The Stranger, by Albert Camus. As opposed to the multitude of books and manifestos approaching existentialism from an academic perspective, The Stranger approaches the philosophy by detailing a character with the belief innately in him and showing how someone like this might behave. No plagiarism, guaranteed! Meursault wants his life to be here and now, he is not concerned with the hereafter. As a result of the diversity of positions associated with this term it is impossible to define precisely. Albert Camus’s philosophy in the novel can be related to the philosophy of existentialism, which stresses that the individual is solely responsible for the choices they make, there is no predetermination and there is no supreme being who decides morality. The Stranger:Random House. “I may not have been sure about what really did interest me, but I was absolutely sure about what … It is simple to him: he murdered a man and is now ready to face the consequences. However, due to the existentialism, the character stands out in a way unique to the characters in that work. The Stranger was an unusually good book, which made me think. Camus, through his utilization of Meursault, has thoroughly explained the absurdities of life and how they, along with the actions of Meursault, thoroughly portray his existentialist beliefs as they were meant to be. Meursault’s absurd beliefs are that life is meaningless and without purpose. The understanding of this allowed Meursault to be at peace with himself. It also conveys the existentialist idea that reason is powerless to the idea with the depths of human life. Many existentialists believe the greatest victory of the individual is to realize the absurdity of life and to accept it. Copyright © 2003 - 2021 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Registered Data Controller No: Z1821391. Meursault is an anomaly in society; he cannot relate directly to others because he does not live as they do. The final theme is reflection. Key contributions: Writing the greatest and most accessible of all existential novels, The Stranger; developing existentialism as a philosophy of absurdity; infusing existential philosophy with compassion and genuine humanity. Amsterdam-Atlanta. Looking for a flexible role? This is in direct contrast to society, whose strict guidelines focusing on right and wrong depend on an individual’s sense of these concepts. Start studying existentialism and the stranger. In society, the common idea is that light is good and evil grows in the darkest of places, but in Albert Camus’ novel, evil is good and the light is bad. Was 10th grade required reading for me. Literary Movements. The five kinds of self-knowledge, according to Ulric Neisser, are: the […], The passage taken from “The Comfort of Strangers “by Ian McEwan essentially describes the want of two sisters Eva and Maria to look beautiful and furthermore the denial of their […], During the interactive oral, we discussed the main theme of the meaninglessness of human life that is present in The Stranger by Albert Camus. Camus begins to ridicule the legal system as his characters trial continues, making apparent the fact that Meursault is truly an outsider. It refers to the capacity to bring that which we are unaware of into awareness. Camus conveys this by making Meursault feel out of place at his own trail and rushing it along as if it is a minor insignificance. Likewise, the war has a similar effect, but a much more powerful impact. Albert Camus believed that to be a true existentialist you had to remove yourself from society as much as possible since a belief in the foundation of government was to conform. Despite encompassing a staggering range of philosophical, religious, and political ideologies, the underlying concepts of existentialism are simple. The decisions you make are whom you are, so decide accordingly. Existentialism is a focus on the individual, a focus on their existence, free will, and death. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? All work is written to order. He does not cry or behave the way that society expects him to. Existentialism In The Stranger Existentialism is a focus on the individual, a focus on their existence, free will, and death. However, Camus did not identify himself as a philosopher. The aforementioned actions are often unique due to the influence of existentialism. 100% Upvoted. Funeral tomorrow. In part one of the novel Maman dies so he attends the funeral, nothing out of the ordinary. Existentialism In The Stranger. Yet all these things are tactile; Meursault derives physical satisfaction from them, but there is no emotion attached. He is considered the personification of existentialism, the existential hero if you will. For the first time, the sun and his sensual pleasures begin to act against him, and cause him to lose control. Meursault does this until he looks at a reflection of himself for the first time in prison. He no longer had anyone or thing to worry about but himself. As a result of the diversity of positions associated with this term it is impossible to define precisely. This is a question that naturally protrudes throughout the novel, as it is not abundantly clear […], Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice […], Existentialism is often defined as a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom and choice. Meursault’s senses are being overwhelmed, and the only way to handle the situation is to end it – so he fires the gun. Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism, Mersault and His Trial in Albert Camus's "The Stranger", Commentary of a Passage Taken from " the Comfort of the Strangers ", The Things They Carried" Compared to Neisser's "Five Kinds of Self Knowledge, “Story Truth” and “Happening Truth” in "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, Analysis "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, The Portrayal of Vietnam in The Things They Carried and Good Morning Vietnam, Love and War in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried. As it is most commonly used, existentialism refers to the idea that there is no higher meaning to the universe or to mans existence, and no rational order to the events of the world. Thoughts? The idea of existentialism is used throughout the literary work The Stranger by Albert Camus to expose the true self and cold nature of human beings, contrary of Camus’ original writing style of absurdism to show Mersault’s realization of the meaningless of human life. The existentialism within his works shapes his characters, by determining how they will act and respond to what is going on around them. This was used to prove that people who are different are judged by their character over their actions. Mankind has free will. This leaves the impression that Mersault is insensitive, or that he did not love his mother. In the end, he opens himself “to the gentle indifference of the world,” and “finding it so much like myself,” he feels he has been happy, and is again. Existentialism is liberating for those of us who do not rely on fate, God, or chance to guide us through the path of life. He is considered the personification of existentialism, the existential hero if you will. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. However, the ending changed all of that and further analyzing gave me the real reasons for his actions. 53 [ 3 ] Camus. 1946) 21 [ 2 ] Camus. Existentialism In The Stranger, By Albert Camus 843 Words4 Pages The novel, The Stranger, by Albert Camus, illustrates the main character, Meursault with traits of an existential individual. The absurdity of the murder is what makes it a good portrayal of the concept of existentialism. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. As the caretaker proceeds to approach the casket so as to give Meursault a last look at his mother, Meursault himself stops him. Meursault is so content with walking back down to the spring unaware that he is going to end up destroying his happiness by shooting the Arab. As is evident through the root of the word, exist, there is a stress on definite individual existence and freedom of choice. When he must die, he wants a crowd to greet him “with cries of hate”; they are screaming because they want life and the world to have meaning; they need this because that is what their entire existence is built upon. These opening lines of the novel serve not only to introduce the novel but to summarize it as well. Registered office: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ. Nothing discussed in the trial had anything to do with the murder. Andrew Irvine, “Basic Themes of existentialism”, http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/WeirdWildWeb/courses/wphil/lectures/wphil_theme20.htm, Crowell, Steven, “Existentialism”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2010 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed. When he is taken into police custody and is asked if he would need an attorney, he is genuinely confused. He seemingly cares not for his own mother as is shown in his opening statements: “Maman died today. report. In the second half, it is mainly of his self-realization about society and life, which I feel, could have been approached another way by the author, like being shortened. Meursault has become a stranger in his own world, a social outcast punished for crimes which are both ridiculous and yet the norm. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Meursault’s true undoing comes from his lack of emotion. Meursault’s execution symbolically brings forth emotion, as Meursault confronts his nothingness and the impossibility of justifying the immoral choices he has made, he realizes the pure contingency of his life, and that he has voided, in essence, his own existence by failing to accept the risk and responsibility that the personal freedom of an existentialist reality entails. The highly influential effect of the existentialist beliefs on the literature of the twentieth century is clearly revealed in the overall content and mood within Camus’s The Stranger. Key works: The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), The Stranger (1942), The Plague (1947), The Rebel (1951) 5 5. comments. There are, however, basic themes common in existentialist beliefs. ” Meursault is alienated from society throughout the tale as he accepts individual responsibility for his unique progression. He seemed unaffected by his mother’s death, the killing of the Arab, and his trial. Although not strictly an existentialist novel, "The Stranger" delves into the philosophies of life and meaning, concluding that there is no rhyme or reason or higher plan for human life. I got a telegram from the home: ‘Mother deceased. They force us to think about our relation to such topics as the existence and nature of God, what it is to be Christian, the nature of … Free resources to assist you with your university studies! 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