The Stranger, By Albert Camus
“Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” (Camus, 3). These opening lines of The Stranger by Albert Camus gives a feeling for how the rest of the novel will continue to go. The reader’s initial reaction may be shocked. How does someone not know when their mother died and why do they not care? Albert Camus was an existentialist and wrote in such a way. Existentialism is a philosophy that focuses on the ideas of existence and not believing in a God, the freedom of choice and responsibility for those choices, and the feeling of nothing matters in the world. In The Stranger, Camus gives the philosophical ideas of existentialism shown symbolically through Meursault’s view of the world, feelings, and beliefs.
When Meursault’s …show more content…
He thought his case was simple because he had confessed to killing the Arab and was ready to pay for what he had done. Existentialists say that one should take responsibility for their actions. His lawyer then begins to ask him personal questions about Maman which he finds unnecessary. Everyone is forced to choose how to live their lives. Existential philosophy focuses heavily on that, how you decide to live your life. Like the band Rush said “if you choose not to decide, you still have made a …show more content…
They say that their is no God and they are on their own. While in jail Meursault is taken to see the examining magistrate. While in there the magistrate pulls out a crucifix and asks him if he believes in God. “I said no...He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him.” (Camus, 69). Throughout the rest of the investigation the magistrate calls Meursault “Monsieur Antichrist” (Camus, 71) which he hates. After the trial he is found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to death. The chaplain visits Meursault even though he has refused many times. “I said that I didn’t believe in God… I didn’t want anybody’s help, and I just didn’t have the time to interest myself in what didn’t interest me.” (Camus, 116-117). Being an existentialist Meursault says he has no time to waste on God. The chaplain told him that he would pray for him and this enraged Meursault. He told the chaplain not to waste his prayers. Some existentialists such as Søren Kierkegaard believed in a religion. Kierkegaard was a christian existentialist who said you have to take a leap of
When Meursault’s …show more content…
He thought his case was simple because he had confessed to killing the Arab and was ready to pay for what he had done. Existentialists say that one should take responsibility for their actions. His lawyer then begins to ask him personal questions about Maman which he finds unnecessary. Everyone is forced to choose how to live their lives. Existential philosophy focuses heavily on that, how you decide to live your life. Like the band Rush said “if you choose not to decide, you still have made a …show more content…
They say that their is no God and they are on their own. While in jail Meursault is taken to see the examining magistrate. While in there the magistrate pulls out a crucifix and asks him if he believes in God. “I said no...He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him.” (Camus, 69). Throughout the rest of the investigation the magistrate calls Meursault “Monsieur Antichrist” (Camus, 71) which he hates. After the trial he is found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to death. The chaplain visits Meursault even though he has refused many times. “I said that I didn’t believe in God… I didn’t want anybody’s help, and I just didn’t have the time to interest myself in what didn’t interest me.” (Camus, 116-117). Being an existentialist Meursault says he has no time to waste on God. The chaplain told him that he would pray for him and this enraged Meursault. He told the chaplain not to waste his prayers. Some existentialists such as Søren Kierkegaard believed in a religion. Kierkegaard was a christian existentialist who said you have to take a leap of