The Stranger vs the Awakening
The Stranger vs. The Awakening
The two novels The Stranger by Albert Camus and The Awakening by Kate Chopin have a similar theme that the power of society will crush anyone who goes against it. Both of the authors end their novels with the death of the main character. The difference in these deaths is Edna committed suicide as if she could not handle like any longer, and Mersault was killed by society’s blade. In the end Mersault is a stronger character because he was not broken by society.
In the novel The Stranger the main character Mersault is a male indifferent to society and seems to care about absolutely nothing. Even when his mother dies he is indifferent about it, the only thing he can have any feelings for at all is the nagging heat of the sun at the funeral. He even begins an affair with his mistress Marie the day after the funeral, clearly thinking about sex, which is very important to him. When Marie asks Mersault to marry her he says he could care less either way, which is a blatant sign of careless and emotionless thoughts. It is not until Mersault is imprisoned and sentenced to death does he begin to realize how much he likes his life. HE tells the reader that he misses the ocean and craves sex and cigarettes, which is the first time he ever has a want or show of emotion towards anything. The Chaplin offers Mersault freedom and life if he will believe God, but of course Mersault will not give in and go against his beliefs. Just before the machine of society cuts him from existence, Mersault laughs in their face showing strength and victory.
In The Awakening the main character is Edna who is dissatisfied with her marriage and motherhood. She finds herself as a person and acts on her desire for sex and emotional connection with her newfound love Robert. There is a gradual disconnection between Edna and her husband as the novel moves forth, yet Edna begins to slowly become more independent and free willing at the same time. Her desires and
The two novels The Stranger by Albert Camus and The Awakening by Kate Chopin have a similar theme that the power of society will crush anyone who goes against it. Both of the authors end their novels with the death of the main character. The difference in these deaths is Edna committed suicide as if she could not handle like any longer, and Mersault was killed by society’s blade. In the end Mersault is a stronger character because he was not broken by society.
In the novel The Stranger the main character Mersault is a male indifferent to society and seems to care about absolutely nothing. Even when his mother dies he is indifferent about it, the only thing he can have any feelings for at all is the nagging heat of the sun at the funeral. He even begins an affair with his mistress Marie the day after the funeral, clearly thinking about sex, which is very important to him. When Marie asks Mersault to marry her he says he could care less either way, which is a blatant sign of careless and emotionless thoughts. It is not until Mersault is imprisoned and sentenced to death does he begin to realize how much he likes his life. HE tells the reader that he misses the ocean and craves sex and cigarettes, which is the first time he ever has a want or show of emotion towards anything. The Chaplin offers Mersault freedom and life if he will believe God, but of course Mersault will not give in and go against his beliefs. Just before the machine of society cuts him from existence, Mersault laughs in their face showing strength and victory.
In The Awakening the main character is Edna who is dissatisfied with her marriage and motherhood. She finds herself as a person and acts on her desire for sex and emotional connection with her newfound love Robert. There is a gradual disconnection between Edna and her husband as the novel moves forth, yet Edna begins to slowly become more independent and free willing at the same time. Her desires and