What does Meursault symbolize in The Stranger?

Also, the court’s attempts to construct a logical explanation for Meursault’s crime symbolize humanity’s attempts to find rational explanations for the irrational events of the universe. These attempts, which Camus believed futile, exemplify the absurdity Camus outlined in his philosophy.

What makes Meursault The Stranger?

Meursault’s lack of control, misunderstanding of society, emotionlessness and indifference show how he is withdrawn and is therefore a stranger to the world, others and himself until he eventually makes peace with himself and society.

How does Meursault view the world?

After his encounter with the chaplain, Meursault concludes that the universe is, like him, totally indifferent to human life. He decides that people’s lives have no grand meaning or importance, and that their actions, their comings and goings, have no effect on the world.

How does Meursault represent absurdity of life?

Meursault is a “stranger” and an absurdity to society because he does not show any emotions, he has no meaning for life, and his only certainty and guarantee is death.

What does the sun symbolize in The Stranger?

In the novel, The Stranger, there is the repeated usage of weather, more specifically, the sun and its heat. The sun symbolizes Meursault’s inner conflicts and overall battles. This makes sense because the sun’s appearance is during times of uncomfort and distress, for example, his mother’s funeral.

How would you describe Meursault?

Meursault is a detached figure who views and describes much of what occurs around him from a removed position. He is emotionally indifferent to others, even to his mother and his lover, Marie. He also refuses to adhere to the accepted moral order of society.

How is Meursault different from society?

Meursault views society as a stranger to himself because they do not do things the same way he does. He understands that people view the world differently, but does not know why. Simultaneously, people view Meursault as a stranger because he is so withdrawn and secluded from everyone.

What does Meursault realize at the end of The Stranger?

At the end of The Stranger, Meursault is able to die happy because he (like Ivan Ilyich) is able to come to terms with himself as a constituent part of existence, and so live authentically.

How is Meursault a hero?

Meursault routinely demonstrates radical bravery in the face of the absurd. He is not a good man; but he attains a level of authenticity that few ever mimic. And he faces death with contentedness, taking responsibility for the man he chose to be. Thus he opens himself to the happiness of Sisyphus.

What makes Meursault happy?

As opposed to earlier in the novel, when Meursault was passively content at best, here Meursault finds that he is actively happy once he opens himself to the reality of human existence. Meursault finds that he is also happy with his position in society. He does not mind being a loathed criminal.

How is Meursault a stranger or an outsider?

Meursault is detached from society which makes his descriptions of things going on around him removed. He also refuses to adhere to the accepted moral order of society and thus, society brands him an outsider. The internal world of his thoughts and the external world of he lives in both don’t retain any order.

Is Meursault good or evil?

Looking at the situation in this light, we can see Meursault as not evil, but simply indifferent and detached from life. He doesn’t attempt to get wrapped up in emotion or relationships, he just takes things as they come, doing whatever is easiest for him.

Why is Meursault an antihero?

Of course, Meursault doesn’t exactly encompass traditional protagonist qualities, such as not being hated by everyone. Meursault can be called an anti-hero, a main character who embodies the opposite of the qualities of traditional heroes like bravery, determination, and a strong sense of personal identity.

What is Camus message in The Stranger?

Camus argues that the only certain thing in life is the inevitability of death, and, because all humans will eventually meet death, all lives are all equally meaningless.

Why is Meursault apathetic?

He is indifferent to his mother’s death because the universe is also indifferent to it. The same can be said for his date with Marie, with him seeing it as just the world’s carelessness in action. Meursault is apathetic because he has become indifferent of the universe.

Why does Meursault tell the truth?

Meursault is truthful to himself and others throughout The Stranger. Unlike most, he doesn’t feel it necessary to lie in order to make others feel better. He is truthful, regardless of whether or not the truth may hurt. For example, in chapter four Marie asked Meursault if he loved her.

Why is Meursault morally ambiguous?

In The Stranger, Albert Camus depicts Meursault as a morally ambiguous character through his decision to write Raymond’s letter and his indifference towards the death of the Arab to demonstrate a shift from tranquility to intensity, proving that ambiguity is a trait most suspicious in all aspects of society.

Why does Meursault feel so apathetic about the death of his mother?

Meursault shows no emotion or care for his mother because he sends her away for someone else to take care of her. During the last years of an elder person’s life, they are invited to stay with the family in order to become closer with one another.

Is apathetic an emotion?

Apathy is a lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern about something. It is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, or passion.

How does Meursault react to his mother’s death?

Meursault immediately reveals himself to be indifferent toward emotion and interaction with others. Instead of grieving at the news of his mother’s death, he is cold, detached, and indifferent. When he receives the telegram, his primary concern is figuring out on which day his mother died.

What does Meursault mean when he says it has nothing had changed?

What does Meursault mean when he says, “it occurred to me… really, nothing had changed.” To him, life was just the same regardless if his mother was alive, or dead. It had no impact on him, and it didn’t make a difference to him whether she was alive or dead.

Why does Meursault focus so much attention on the mundane details of his life?

Why does Meursault focus so much attention on the mundane details of his life? Meursault’s attention the mundane details of his life reflect his apathy towards life. He doesn’t care about most things like a normal person does like the death of his mother. He’s more interested in things like the scabs on the dog.