The Stranger

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Recommended: Themes of existentialism in the stranger

In the 1940s, a time of evolving new philosophies, the novel The Stranger was published. The novel illustrates a myriad of examples of the use of existentialism. Existentialism is a philosophy that exemplifies that thinking derives from the physical breathing and behavioral ways of an individual. Camus, the author of the novel uses the narrator’s mother’s death at the beginning of the novel to set up the novel for the recurring use of existentialism. Something in particular that caused a riot among the people was that the stranger was emotionless. Even after his mother’s death his careless attitude continued. Death in this novel is a prominent theme depicted throughout the course of the story.
The motif of death is one consistently brought …show more content…

An example of his initial character is depicted when he was offered coffee at his mom's service and he accepted. According to Camus, the stranger was not affected initially, “ I drank the coffee. Then I felt like having a smoke... I offered the caretaker a cigarette and we smoked.” (Camus page 8)Also when Meursault arrived at his mother’s funeral the coffin had already been sealed; he was offered to have it opened and see her, but he refused. This from the jump made person question her. His attitude was very nonchalant, he just went with the flow of things. For instance, Raymond asked him to do multiple things for him and even though they were not necessarily good or right things he did them. Another example is the remaining question Marie has throughout to novel does he want to marry her. The stranger makes it clear that he doesn't necessarily want to, but he would. At the funeral people expect sadness, during the trial people expect remorse. These are all things we society expect to …show more content…

Salamano one of the stranger’s neighbors loves his dog. This is a significant fact because of the condition of the dog, he is scab-covered dying dog, but he enjoys his company disregarding all the other fus. The motif of death is much deeper and then recognized at first. Meursault is happy to believe that actually dying represent the complete end to life. Although the chaplain holds the idea of an afterlife essentially this establishes with the audience that he is not scared to die. Something significant within the novel you can say is the growth of Meursault, not overall, but in reference to his feelings about death. By the end of the novel he is at peace with everything: “ They were announcing departures for a world that now and forever meant nothing to me.(Camus page 122) ” He is accepts that death is a natural part of life and is now his destiny with his impending

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