"The Stranger" Analysis

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Recommended: The stranger by Albert Camus analytical essay

How could a person not care about a single event in his or her life? How could a person fail to respond to different situations? How could one man be so apathetic towards all aspects of his life? How could a man not care about the death of his mother? Would anyone believe the story of the man who simply did not care about life? Albert Camus’s existentialist character, Mersault, demonstrates complete apathy towards almost every aspect of life. On page 115 of Albert Camus’s The Stranger, there is a passage in which the theme of the theme of the novel could clearly be observed. The theme of the novel is that existence is the only meaning of life. This theme is supported by the use of diction in the passage, which includes irony, structure, and tone.

The passage on page 115, describes the series of events that have taken place as a result of Mersault’s imprisonment. In this passage, Mersault has denies his court appeal, and is probably aware of the fact that he will soon be executed. Memories of Marie slip into Mersault’s mind as he reflects on their relationship. He recalls the physical connection between them yet does not consider Marie’s existence as significant. Since there is no longer a physical connection between them, Mersault automatically assumes that she is dead or sick, because “the days had been long since she’s stopped to write” (Camus 115). “It occurred to me that maybe she was sick, or dead. These things happen” (115). Mersault is clearly indifferent regarding such a serious subject matter as death. The ironic part about this passage is that Mersaut states that “[he] wasn’t interested in her dead” (115). This is ironic, as Mersault did not seem very interested in Marie even when there was a physical connection bet...

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...that his life has been meaningless. He feels like when he dies no one will remember him. Once again existentialism can be observed; Mersault considers his life as simply existing for the sake of existing. In reality, there are those who are remembered even after their death. Those who have influence others will be remembered and those who have not will not. Mersault falls in the second category, because he has not contributed to society. He has not influenced anyone, but rather lived his life, for the most part, as a neutral being among society.

Camus has done a tremendous job inferring the theme through this passage. The irony, structure and tone of this passage fall under the category of diction. All of these factors help support the overall theme. Mersault’s ironic statements, cold tone, as well as the passage’s structure all reinforce apathy towards life.

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