Comparing Meursault's And Siddhartha

Meursault’s behavior at his mother’s death substantiated his guilt in the eyes of the law. Siddhartha lives the moment and takes responsibility for his decisions. To what extent are Meursault’s and Siddhartha’s status as existentialists and outsiders defined by their conscious and unconscious actions.
Existentialism is a philosophy that explains the journey to discover the true self and the meaning of life by free will, choice and personal responsibility. By their conscious or unconscious actions, the protagonists, Siddhartha and Meursault are examples of existentialists and radical individuals, who refuse to conform to the norms of their respective societies.

Meursault’s conscious and unconscious actions after his mother’s death led others
“That wouldn’t be true” says Meursault. It was one of those rare instances where he consciously and deliberately defies conformity. Would it have really hurt Meursault to admit that he did regret his mother’s death? Later, during the interrogation wanting to help Meursault, the magistrate asked him if he regretted killing the Arab and Meursault told him that he did not feel so much regret, but “a kind of vexation.” A simple ‘yes’ would have helped, but his answer portrayed him as a remorseless killer rather than being extraordinarily naïve. In a conformist society dominated by norms, Meursault’s perceived defiance made him an “outsider” Another remarkable existentialist trait is his emotional detachment, bordering on apathy. “Marie came and asked him “that evening" if he wanted to “marry” her. He said that he “didn’t mind”; at a poignant moment such as this one, Meursault disappointed Marie with his reaction. A moment that should have elicited joy was lost. Was it his intention to hurt Marie? Unlikely. It was an unconscious response that reflects the detachment which constituted an integral part of his shallow emotional