Textual Support: The Stranger, By Albert Camus

Textual Support: In The Stranger, Camus exposes the inhibition that religion, love, and society create against man through dialogue, symbolism, and tone. Amid Meursault’s trial, Céleste is called to testify about Meursault’s character. “He said, ‘The way I see it, it’s [the murder] bad luck is. It leaves you defenseless… He was about to go on, but the judge told him that that would be all and thanked him… he stated he had more to say” (Camus 89). When Céleste provides an answer that the judge does not deem appropriate, he is quickly asked to stop speaking. Society expects Céleste to condemn Meursault’s actions and try to seem as disconnected from him as possible. Camus use of inner dialogue develops character, and outer dialogue when Meursault
When Meursault is talking to his lawyer, he is ridiculed for saying that he was ‘tired and sleepy’ on the day of Maman’s funeral, “He thought for a minute. He asked me if he could say that that day I held back my natural feelings. I said, ‘No, because that’s not true.’ He gave me a look, as if he found me slightly disgusting” (Camus 63). A man vs. man conflict is created by Meursault’s honesty and his lawyer;s aversion to his answer. Meursault’s own lawyer expresses his hostility towards Meursault, and therefore can no longer objectively and fairly defend Meursault. In addition to his lawyer’s hostility, Meursault experiences condemnation from the Magistrate after revealing he is an atheist, “… the judge would lead me to the door on his office, slap me on the shoulder and, and say to me cordially, ‘That’s all for today, Monsieur Antichrist.’ I would then be handed over to the police” (Camus 68). By using a critical tone to an ideal that all people should have faith, and those who don’t are wrong, the magistrate created an unjust prejudice against Meursault. Similiarly, during Meursault’s trial, the funeral director is testifying about the events at Maman’s funeral. “… and said that I hadn’t wanted to see Maman, that I hadn’t cried once and that I had left right after the funeral without paying respect to her grave…the prosecutor exclaimed, ‘Oh no, that is quite sufficient!’… I had this stupid urge to cry, because I could feel how much these people all hated me” (Camus 86). By using a harsh tone towards Meursault, a despairing mood is created regarding Meursault’s fate. The prosecutor knows that because man is subjective, a jury