Introduction to “The Stranger”
The original title of the novel is “L’Étranger”. “The Stranger” was written by French-Algerian writer Albert Camus, published in 1942. It is indeed one of the most iconic literary pieces of the existentialist genre, elements of the absurd, the concept of existence being arbitrary and the struggle between the individual and the society.
Meursault the main character of the novel lives an isolated and emotionless life, he does not even cry at his mother’s funeral or when he is to be executed. His behavior and the way he responds to different situations reflects existentialism, specifically the absence of meaning in life. Throughout the novel, Camus tries to explain various themes and concepts that challenge conventional moral and social values of the society.
Themes in “The Stranger”
1- Absurdism
The philosophy of the absurd, which is considered to be a very important part of Camus’ work, is based on the idea that the world and existence of people in it are meaningless and absurd. The novel depicts this theme showing the absurd nature of life through Meursault’s apathy and the events that shape his fate.
Meursault’s reaction to his mother’s death is suggestive of this theme. In the beginning lines of the novel, he states:
“Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don’t know.”
Such a detached and unemotional manner is typical of existentialist worldview as represented by Meursault. He has a view on life in which he believes that there is no inherent meaning and purpose to life, and his actions or rather his lack of actions in the face of his mother’s death is a clear indication of his acceptance of this view.
Meursault’s actions in the novel, from the murder to his lack of emotion when it comes to human interaction, portrays the arbitrariness of existence. Camus employs Meursault’s character to depict that it is useless to search for inherent meaning of life or purpose, hence one should accept the absurd.
2- The Meaninglessness of Life
Another important theme that is connected with absurdism is the meaninglessness of life. According to Camus, the life has no meaning and the attempts that people make in order to give it a meaning are in vain.
During his trial, Meursault indicates the arbitrary nature of the events that led to his situation:
“Since we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how don’t matter.”
The identification of the time of death is not crucial to Meursault which is a reflection of the novel’s existentialist philosophy. His realization is an example of the belief that the life has no inherent meaning and worth.
He underlines the fortuity of life and death starting from the death of his mother and ending with the murder he commits. Camus employs Meursault’s apathy to show that there is no need to search for cause and effect, or moralizing in the occurrences in life.
3- Indifference and Emotional Detachment
Meursault’s indifference and emotional detachment are significant to his character and to understand the themes of the novel. He is indifferent and emotionally distant. Such reactions challenge the norms of social behaviors.
Meursault’s reaction to Marie’s proposal is indicative of this theme. He responds:
“It didn’t make any difference to me and that we could if she wanted to.”
This response is illustrative of Meursault’s implication of apathy in the contemplation of major life events. His disinterest in Maries symbolizes how he does not regard nor value the social norms.
Camus expresses the social indifferences to question the absurdity of social requisites; the theme of meaningless feelings and relationships. Meursault’s detachment is an adaptive strategy in a world that he regards as meaningless and absurd.
4- The Irrationality of the Universe
The novel indicates the theme of irrationality of the universe and the impossibility to reason the existence of life. The experiences of Meursault shows the unpredictable and chaotic nature of existence.
Meursault’s reflection on the senseless murder he commits highlights this theme:
“It was because of the sun.”
This statement, wherein Meursault confirms that he murdered the Arabian man because of the oppressive heat of the sun, reflects the irrationality and aimless nature of his actions.
The murder is by no means a premeditated crime, that is why it can be considered as a manifestation of the disorder intrinsic to the concept of life.
Camus employs this episode to argue that human behaviors are erratic and beyond people’s control, which contrasts with the other themes of reason and order.
Thus, with a strong emphasis on the themes of postmodernism, the novel implies that there is no purpose in human existence, and searching for logic in the events that happen is nonsense.
5- Alienation and Isolation
The alienation and isolation is one of the major themes in “The Stranger,” which reflects Meursault’s disconnection from the society and the people. His detachment is a result of his existential beliefs and at the same time, a reaction to them.
Meursault’s feelings of alienation are evident in his interactions with others. After his mother’s death, he observes:
“For the first time in years I had this stupid urge to cry, because I could feel how much all these people hated me.”
This moment of emotion is a sign that Meursault is really lonely and has absolutely no place in this society. His inability to connect with others make him as indifferent to others in society.
Thus, Camus employs the Meursault’s alienation as a method of defining the overall philosophical concept that is at the core of existentialist ideas – the problem of the single person, who has to struggle in the cruel, cold, and indifferent world.
Meursault’s isolation is both a reason and effect of his existential turmoil, which also highlights how such aspects relate to the novel’s primary focus on existential predicament of the human being.
6- The Conflict Between Society and the Individual
The novel explores the conflict between the society and the individual. It reflects that how social norms and expectations contrast with the personal beliefs and behaviors.
During his trial, Meursault reflects on society’s judgment of him:
“I had the odd impression of being watched by myself.”
This quote is a reminder that Meursault is a man conscious of society’s surveillance and people’s appraisal. It transforms from a murder trial to a trial where his personality, and unconventional behavior are the key issues to be discussed.
Society condemns him not only for the crime but also for the violation of the societal norms in which he did not even cry after his mother’s death or show any signs of repentance.
Thus, the trial given by Camus is driven as an attempt to encourage the audience to question conventional norms which are forced upon people. This clash of the Meursault’s personal beliefs and the conventional social norms defines the novel’s theme.
7- Death and the Absurd
Death is a recurrent theme in the novel, which is linked with the notion of absurdity. The event of the confrontation with death, results into Meursault accepting absurdity and the inevitability of mortality.
In the final pages of the novel, Meursault contemplates his execution:
“I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.”
This acceptance of the world’s ignorance is a sign that Meursault has reconciled with the absurdity of life. His execution compels him to confront the inevitability of death, thus make him to accept the message that the life is absurd.
Camus employs Meursault to make the audience understand that the only way to embrace life fully is to accept death as the last outcome of life. By embracing the indifference of the universe, Meursault finds peace and a sense of liberation, which strengthens the novels’ existential themes.
8- The Illusion of Free Will
The novel is a postmodern work that focuses on the topic of free will, which is, in fact, another way of asking whether a person can control his own destiny. Free will is also a relative concept and Meursault’s experiences prove this where he is unaware of his actions and the outcome of his actions.
Meursault’s reflection on his actions during the murder highlights this theme:
“It was then that I realized you could either shoot or not shoot.”
This instance shows that Meursault’s decision to commit murder was not provoked and adds to the element of absurdity. His decision making is related to factors beyond his control, such as the heat and the sunlight rather than by his own volition.
Through the events that occur to Meursault, Camus is able to undermine the concept of the individual as the master of his/her fate, and instead, paint a picture of human existence as being determined by the capricious and the unpredictable.
Free will is another major concern of the novel; the protagonist’s actions do not seem to be free, but rather a response to the chaotic universe.
9-The Absence of God and Religion
The novel is also focused on the problem of the existence of God and the function of religion as a source of meaning in life. The existential theme of finding meaning in a world without God is portrayed by Meursault’s atheism and disregard towards religion.
During his imprisonment, Meursault rejects the chaplain’s attempts to convert him:
“I didn’t want anybody’s help, and I just didn’t have the time to interest myself in what didn’t interest me.”
Meursault does not accept the chaplain’s consolations, thus demonstrates his atheism and apathy towards the existence of God. His indifference to religion depicts existentialism that people have to make their own meaning since there is no divine purpose.
Camus employs Meursault’s atheism to undermine the conventional religious views and to stress the need to face the meaning of life when one has no possible source of meaning to turn to.
The novel implies that the only liberation and identity of an individual can be achieved by the realization of the non-existence of God and therefore searching for meaning in the world that has none.
