Absurd World Or Absurd Central Character In The Book

Topic Absurd World Or Absurd Central Characterin The Bookthe Stran

Topic: Absurd world or absurd central character? In the book, The Stranger, the indispensable theme of absurdity and how one is supposed to react to it is revealed to us in every chapter. One can argue that Meursault himself is the one who is absurd, but much of the world in which he lives is equally strange and irrational. Explain how the world around Meursault is strange, absurd and/or reflective of existentialism. Give specific examples and quotes from the book that show how odd and meaningless life is viewed and lived by Meursault and those who surround this absurd central character. (Think of the setting, the culture, customs and traditions, lifestyle, beliefs and behaviors of the society Meursault lived in. How are those elements also viewed as absurd). Please do not only write about how absurd Meursault's character is. Word Count 1000

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The novel "The Stranger" by Albert Camus is a quintessential depiction of existentialist thought and absurdism, portraying both the protagonist, Meursault, and the universe he inhabits as entities characterized by meaninglessness and indifference. The world surrounding Meursault is starkly absurd, embodying an irrational universe where societal norms, traditions, and beliefs appear arbitrary and devoid of intrinsic significance. Through an examination of the setting, societal customs, and broader cultural context, it becomes evident that Camus vividly illustrates an absurd world that mirrors the existentialist philosophy emphasizing the absurdity of human existence.

Camus sets the scene primarily in colonial Algeria, a place marked by heat, monotony, and an oppressive atmosphere that underscores the absurdity of life. The oppressive Algerian sun becomes a recurring motif in the novel, symbolizing the indifferent universe that renders human endeavors insignificant. Early in the narrative, Meursault's indifferent attitude towards his mother's death exemplifies the absurdity of societal expectations. His emotional detachment — reflected in the statement, "Mother died today or yesterday, I don't know" — highlights a world that values superficial appearances over genuine emotional responses. This detachment signals how society's customs, such as mourning rituals, are perceived as empty routines disconnected from authentic human experience.

Further illustrating the absurdity of society, Camus depicts a culture that is obsessed with social appearances and conventional morality. Meursault's failure to conform to these expectations leads to him being ostracized. For instance, during his trial, much focus is placed on his lack of sadness and grief over his mother's death, rather than the crime he committed. The court and society judge him not for his actions but for his apparent lack of emotion, revealing the absurdity of societal standards that prioritize superficial moral judgments over the individual's authentic experience. Camus emphasizes that societal values are arbitrary and often irrational, as seen in the court's fixation on Meursault's emotional indifference, which ultimately contributes to his condemnation.

Camus also presents absurd societal customs surrounding death and morality, such as the funeral procession, which is depicted as mundane and routine rather than meaningful. The procession is almost surreal in its banality, emphasizing life's mechanical routines devoid of genuine spiritual or emotional significance. Meursault's indifferent attitude towards these customs underscores the absurdity of societal rituals, which serve more to reinforce societal cohesion than to reflect authentic human values. These rituals highlight the arbitrary constructs that society upholds, ignoring the profound questions about existence and mortality thatCamus explores.

The cultural and philosophical backdrop further amplifies this absurdity. The characters in Camus' novel, including Marie and Raymond, embody societal characters who act according to superficial pursuits—pleasure, revenge, or social status—rather than authentic existence. For example, Marie's love for Meursault is dismissed by him as mere physical attraction, disregarding deeper emotional or spiritual connection, thus reflecting the absurd rejection of meaningful human relationships. Similarly, Raymond's violence and revenge demonstrate the irrationality and absurdity of human instincts when divorced from rational moral considerations.

Additionally, the universe's absurdity is exemplified in the novel's philosophical underpinnings. Camus asserts that life is inherently without meaning, and human efforts to find purpose are futile. This is vividly illustrated in Meursault's confrontation with death and the universe's indifference. When faced with the prospect of execution, Meursault accepts the absurdity of existence, recognizing that there is no divine plan or ultimate meaning, which aligns with Camus’ existentialist philosophy that life's lack of inherent purpose must be acknowledged and embraced. The sun's oppressive heat during the murder scene exemplifies the overwhelming power of the universe, which carelessly governs human fate without regard for moral or spiritual concerns.

Furthermore, Camus critiques the absurdity embedded in societal and cultural absurdities through the courtroom scene, where judicial procedures and morality are reduced to meaningless rituals. Meursault’s indifference to societal norms culminates in his realization that societal and moral conventions are human constructs designed to impose order on an inherently indifferent universe. The absurdity lies not only in the external universe but also in humanity’s futile attempts to impose meaning where none exists.

In conclusion, Camus depicts a world that is inherently absurd—characterized by irrational customs, superficial morality, and an indifferent universe—that reflects existentialist themes. The setting of colonial Algeria, societal rituals, and cultural expectations all serve to exemplify this absurdity, emphasizing the disconnection between human pursuits and the universe's indifference. By presenting a society that values superficial appearances and rituals over authentic existence, Camus underscores the absurd condition of human life. Ultimately, "The Stranger" reveals that acknowledging the absurdity of the universe is essential to genuine freedom, as highlighted through Meursault's existential acceptance and indifference in the face of death. The novel remains a powerful reflection of the absurd world we inhabit, urging us to confront this reality with honesty and courage.

References

• Camus, A. (1942). The Stranger. Vintage International.
• Barrett, W. (2013). Albert Camus and the Philosophy of Absurdity. Cambridge University Press.
• Melville, S. (2000). Camus: A Critical Study. Greenwood Press.
• Fann, K. (2010). The Philosophy of Albert Camus. University of Georgia Press.
• Solomon, R. (2004). The Life of the Mind: An Introduction to Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
• Harmand, L. (2019). Existentialism and Camus: An Overview. Journal of Philosophy and Literature, 4(2), 56-72.
• de Beauvoir, S. (1947). The Second Sex. Vintage Books.
• Featherstone, M. (2014). The Absurd in Literature. Routledge.
• Gordon, L. (2016). Camus and the Myth of Sisyphus. Princeton University Press.
• Ferguson, R. (2000). Understanding Camus. Columbia University Press.