The StrangerStudy Guide & Essays
Home : The Stranger

The Stranger Study Guide & Essays

by Albert Camus

Camus was influenced by a diverse collection of foreign authors and philosophies in the 1930s. The mood of nihilism was high. Nietzsche and Dostoyevsky had remained significant in thought since the turn of the century. German phenomenology was flowing into France. Sartre was struggling against the…

The Stranger study guide contains a biography of Albert Camus, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

View all of the Study Guide...

View all Literature Essays...

View all of the Wikipedia entries...

Absurdity & Meursault's Reasons

I recently finished the book and I quite enjoyed it. But there's one thing I'm really not understanding. I've been researching the book and its themes, and I always come across the concept of absurdity, and how Meursault's actions lack rational order, and how he has no reasons for what he does. Common examples are his marriage to Marie and his decision to kill the Arab.

But I don't get it. Though he was obviously indifferent about the whole ordeal, Meursault did mention that he'd marry Marie if she liked. Isn't that a reason? He agrees to make her to make her happy? And the murder. Wasn't he driven to the act because of the heat?

Could someone explain please?

Posted By connie l #121025 at Jan 04, 2010 5:10 AM in The Stranger || 1 reply

what meursault is really tried for

i need help with this question:

"Meursault is tried and convicted for killing an Arab; but in a deeper sense, why is he really tried and convicted?"

Posted By lauren d #85055 at Mar 19, 2009 4:03 PM in The Stranger || 1 reply

merseault was a social monster

I have to write any essay on how mersualt is a social monster...Can i get some help??

thanks

Posted By chris o #72699 at Dec 11, 2008 7:01 AM in The Stranger || 1 reply

What did you think about Camus' short sentence style?

I think that it adds to the character of Meursault. He lacks depth and persception, so therefore the short sentences confirm and add to that cahracterization? thoughts ideas....

Posted By sarah s #62954 at Aug 25, 2008 2:22 PM in The Stranger || 3 replies