Literary Works That Shape Our World: A Critical Analysis - Sykalo Evgen 2023

Analysis of “The Stranger” by Albert Camus

The philosophy of absurdism

Absurdism is a philosophical concept that states that there is no inherent meaning or purpose in life. This can be a difficult concept to grasp, as we are all naturally inclined to seek meaning and order in the world around us. However, Camus argues that the search for meaning is ultimately futile, as the universe is indifferent to our existence.

In The Stranger, Camus explores the absurdity of life through the character of Meursault. Meursault is a detached and indifferent individual who does not conform to social norms. He shows no emotion at his mother's funeral, and he even murders an Arab man without any apparent motive. Meursault's indifference and lack of emotion can be seen as a reflection of the absurdity of life.

Camus does not offer any easy solutions to the problem of absurdity. However, he does suggest that we can rebel against the absurd by living our lives authentically and to the fullest. Meursault's refusal to conform to social norms and his acceptance of his own mortality can be seen as a form of rebellion against the absurd.

Here are some examples of how the philosophy of absurdism is explored in The Stranger:

Meursault's indifference: Meursault is indifferent to almost everything in his life, including his mother's death and his own murder trial. This indifference can be seen as a reflection of the absurdity of life, which is indifferent to our suffering.
The murder of the Arab: Meursault murders an Arab man without any apparent motive. This murder can be seen as a symbol of the absurdity of life, which is often violent and senseless.
Meursault's trial: Meursault is sentenced to death for murdering the Arab man, even though he shows no remorse or understanding of his crime. This sentence can be seen as a symbol of the absurdity of justice, which is often arbitrary and unfair.

In the end, Meursault is executed for his crime. However, he dies with dignity and courage, refusing to compromise his beliefs. This can be seen as a final act of rebellion against the absurd.

Camus's philosophy of absurdism is a complex and challenging one. However, it can also be a liberating one. By accepting the absurdity of life, we can free ourselves from the need to find meaning and order in a world that is ultimately indifferent to our existence.

The social and cultural context of French Algeria

The Stranger is set in French Algeria in the 1940s. This was a time of great social and political upheaval, as Algeria was struggling for independence from France. The novel reflects the tensions and divisions that existed in Algerian society at the time.

The French colonists in Algeria were a privileged minority. They enjoyed a higher standard of living than the native Algerians, and they held most of the positions of power in the government and the economy. The Algerians, on the other hand, were largely impoverished and marginalized. They were also subject to discrimination and oppression from the French colonists.

The tension between the French colonists and the native Algerians came to a head in the 1940s. In 1954, the Algerian War of Independence began. The war lasted for eight years and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Algeria finally gained its independence from France in 1962.

The social and cultural context of French Algeria is reflected in The Stranger in a number of ways. For example, the novel depicts the stark contrast between the lives of the French colonists and the native Algerians. Meursault, the protagonist of the novel, is a French colonist who lives a comfortable and privileged life. He does not have to work hard for a living, and he has access to all the amenities of a European city. The native Algerians, on the other hand, are forced to work hard in order to survive. They live in poverty and squalor, and they are subject to discrimination and oppression from the French colonists.

The novel also depicts the tension and violence that existed in Algerian society at the time. Meursault murders an Arab man without any apparent motive. This murder can be seen as a symbol of the violence and senselessness of the Algerian War of Independence.

The Stranger is a complex and challenging novel that explores a number of important themes, including the absurdity of life, the nature of morality, and the individual's relationship to society. The novel's social and cultural context is essential to understanding its meaning and significance.

The characters and their motivations

The characters in The Stranger are complex and well-developed. Camus uses them to explore a variety of themes, including the absurdity of life, the nature of morality, and the individual's relationship to society.

Here are some of the main characters in The Stranger and their motivations:

Meursault: Meursault is the protagonist of the novel. He is a detached and indifferent individual who does not conform to social norms. He shows no emotion at his mother's funeral, and he even murders an Arab man without any apparent motive. Meursault's indifference and lack of emotion can be seen as a reflection of the absurdity of life.
Marie Cardona: Marie is a former co-worker of Meursault who begins an affair with him the day after his mother's funeral. Marie is attracted to Meursault's indifference and his lack of social conventions. However, she is also disturbed by his lack of emotion and his inability to commit to a relationship.
Raymond Sintes: Raymond is a local pimp and Meursault's neighbor. Raymond is a flamboyant and charismatic character who enjoys life to the fullest. He is also a ruthless and violent criminal. Raymond uses Meursault to help him with his schemes, but he also cares for him in his own way.
The Chaplain: The chaplain is a religious man who visits Meursault in prison before his execution. The chaplain tries to convince Meursault to repent for his sins and accept God's forgiveness. However, Meursault refuses to do so. He insists that he is innocent and that he has nothing to repent for.

Camus does not offer any easy explanations for the characters' motivations. He suggests that human behavior is complex and often irrational. He also suggests that we cannot judge others too harshly, as we all have our own flaws and weaknesses.

The characters in The Stranger are some of the most complex and memorable in literature. They represent a variety of different human types, and they can be seen as reflections of Camus's own philosophical beliefs.

The themes of the novel

The Stranger explores a number of important themes, including:

The absurdity of life: Camus believed that there is no inherent meaning or purpose in life. This can be a difficult concept to grasp, as we are all naturally inclined to seek meaning and order in the world around us. However, Camus argues that the search for meaning is ultimately futile, as the universe is indifferent to our existence.
The nature of morality: Camus challenges conventional notions of morality in The Stranger. Meursault, the protagonist of the novel, is indifferent to social norms and shows no remorse for his crimes. However, Camus suggests that Meursault is more honest and authentic than the other characters in the novel, who are all hypocrites in one way or another.
The individual's relationship to society: Meursault is an outsider who does not conform to social norms. This makes him a threat to the established order, and he is ultimately punished for his individuality. Camus suggests that society is hostile to those who do not conform, and that we must be careful not to sacrifice our individuality in order to fit in.

Other themes explored in The Stranger include:

Alienation and loneliness: Meursault is alienated from the people around him. He feels no connection to his family, his friends, or even his lover, Marie. Camus suggests that alienation is a common condition in modern society, and that it can be a source of great suffering.
The importance of physical experience: Meursault is deeply connected to the physical world. He loves to feel the sun on his skin and the wind in his hair. Camus suggests that the physical world is the only thing that is real and meaningful, and that we should cherish our experiences.
The inevitability of death: Meursault is sentenced to death for murdering an Arab man. He faces his execution with courage and dignity. Camus suggests that death is inevitable for all of us, and that we should not be afraid of it.

The Stranger is a complex and challenging novel that explores a number of important philosophical themes. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the human condition.

The critical reception of the novel
The critical reception of The Stranger has been overwhelmingly positive. It is considered to be one of the most important and influential novels of the 20th century.

Critics have praised the novel for its unique style, its complex characters, and its profound philosophical insights. They have also noted the novel's relevance to contemporary issues such as alienation, loneliness, and the search for meaning in life.

Here are some examples of the critical reception of The Stranger:

"The Stranger is one of the most important novels of the 20th century. It is a beautifully written and deeply thought-provoking work that explores the absurdity of life, the nature of morality, and the individual's relationship to society." - The New York Times Book Review
"The Stranger is a masterpiece. It is a novel that stays with you long after you have finished reading it. It is a novel that makes you think about the world in a new way." - The Guardian
"The Stranger is a classic of existentialist literature. It is a novel that explores the meaninglessness of life and the importance of living authentically." - The Paris Review

The Stranger has been translated into over 100 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. It has also been adapted into several films, including a 1967 film directed by Luchino Visconti.

The Stranger is a timeless novel that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a novel that challenges us to think about the meaning of life and our place in the world.