Meursault in "The Stranger"

Meursault, the main character of "The Stranger", has always been someone who was not quite understood by society in French Colonial Algeria. The author, Albert Camus, depicts him as a man who refuses to conform to the system around him and chooses to accept the "gentle indifference of the world". Throughout Part One of the novel, Meursault views himself as an indifferent man. He invests little to no emotion in his actions and opinions. He floats through the days of his life, his demeanor never changing, and yet he does not contemplate his nature - he simply accepts it. Much of Meursault's personality in Part One can be seen in his interactions towards those around him or events that affect him. Meursault reacts to his mother's death with almost a professional attitude instead of an emotional one. While visiting the caretaker, Meursault feels like smoking but hesitates because it would be impolite to smoke there with his mother's body in the room. "[He] thought about it; it didn't matter" so he offered the caretaker a cigarette and they smoked (P8). Many people would be devastated by the loss of their mother and suffer from sadness and despair. Meursault seems to feel nothing at all and is even willing to disrespect his mother at the time he should be honoring her memory the most. Because of this tendency of lacking emotion, an event as serious as his mother's death seems simple and unimportant to him. His behavior shows that he rarely lets any emotion enter his head and focuses on enjoying the moment at hand, even if it means acting against the guidelines set forth by society. Another simplification of an important situation is Meursault's relationship with Marie. Meursault enjoys being around Marie, sure, her smile, body, and company all contribute to his happiness, but he does not seem to develop any real feelings for her during their time together. She asks him if he loves her and he replies that "it didn't mean anything" and that he "didn't think so" (P35). His lack of emotion makes him a very one-dimensional person. He is always putting his physical needs over his emotional needs. His relationship with Marie proves that like death, love can be a simple and unimportant thing to him. Another key feature of Meursault's personality is his desire to go along with others' opinions. When eating with his friend Raymond one evening, Meursault listens as Raymond explains a dilemma with a woman he has been seeing. Raymond finally asks Meursault if he thought she was cheating on him and if he thought she should be punished. Meursault was hesitant but soon replied that he "understood [Raymond's] wanting to punish her" (P32). His response shows that he emphasizes with those around him, even if their beliefs do not exactly match his own. He tries to agree with people as much as possible so he can avoid confrontation. Also the fact that he shows no concern over Raymond discussing his intent to harm another person reflects his simplistic outlook and lack of emotion.

Meursault does not begin to contemplate or understand his view on life until he is imprisoned and sentenced to death in Part Two of the story. This dramatic change causes him to realize that his values are worth living and fighting for. He realizes that he is separate from those around him and his sense of individuality soars. He finally understands his place in the universe and ceases to let anyone impose their will on him ever again. The transformation Meursault undergoes begins with his memories of his past life and ends with his rebellion towards society's influence.

During his first days in prison, Meursault is tormented by the memories and pleasures he experienced as a free man in his past life. According to him, the hardest part of the first few days was that all of his thoughts "were still those of a free man" (P76). He missed the freedom he previously had, the ability to satisfy his physical needs. He missed being at the beach, the water around his feet and sun on his back. He missed smoking. He missed the comforts of a woman. One day he imagines living in a tree trunk and decides, "Little by little I would have gotten used to it" (P77). He even views himself as better off than some people. He becomes acclimated to prison life quite quickly but the memories he retains still hold value for him. On some days, to pass time, Meursault would remember as many details of his apartment that he could. He got better and better at this, remembering more objects and details with each attempt. In his eyes, a man who had lived one day "could easily live for a hundred years in prison" (P79). Meursault's memories are the dominant thoughts in his head during his time in prison. The more Meursault thought about his past life, the more emotion he experienced. It was this emotion that helped him come to value the life he once had.

The most beneficial gift prison could give to Meursault was the ability to look back on his former life and reflect upon it. While reminiscing, Meursault "found the simplest and most lasting joys" (P104). Realizing just how much happiness and comfort his previous lifestyle had given him allows Meursault to take much more value in it. Meursault begins to see and realize things that were not visible to him before. He enjoyed doing things his own way. He starts to question his previous behavior of going along with the beliefs of others. If he takes enjoyment from his own choices why should he have to satisfy their wants? During this time of reflection and realization, Meursault also comes across an old news article under his mattress. The story, being about a daughter and wife who don't recognize their father/husband and murder him, causes speculation in Meursault. "On the one hand, it wasn't very likely. On the other, it was perfectly natural" (P80). The story causes Meursault to question the rationality of the universe. He begins to develop his own unique views on life where before he would just accept the views of others. Reflecting upon his life, taking pride in his values, and creating his own individual opinions stirs up a great courage in Meursault.

When Meursault realizes the importance of his own philosophy and values, he reaches a turning point in his life. He no longer allows anyone to impose their beliefs on him. His opinions become so important to him that he is willing to rebel against anyone who tries to make him think otherwise. During his trial and during his interviews with the chaplain and magistrate, Meursault is given the chance to escape his punishment. Meursault ignores each chance he is given and even becomes irritated as they attempt time after time to change his beliefs. Just giving in and saying he believed in God would free Meursault. It would be such a simple action, yet Meursault sticks up for his own beliefs to the end. He shows that he is willing to die for what he believes in. During his final talk with the chaplain, and final chance of salvation, Meursault becomes enraged at the stubbornness of those around him. He wishes the chaplain could see that "everyone was privileged. There were only privileged people" (P121). Though his outburst only sends him back to his cell and finalizes his execution, Meursault feels triumphant. He was able to stand up to the influence of society and retain his individuality. Meursault is finally proud of his life and his ability to refuse the influence of others. He no longer faces death with fear or regret.

Over the course of his trial and imprisonment, he realizes that death is the only inevitable thing in life, the only thing that is certain. Because it is something everyone has to face, it makes human life meaningless and extinguishes any fear Meursault has about his own execution. At the beginning of his arrest, during Meursault's initial interrogations, he was going to shake the hand of one of the policemen but didn't because he "remembered that [he] had killed a man" (P64). He is just beginning to realize he is no longer an innocent man and begins to change his behavior because of it. This is crucial for the development of his final views on life. He needs something to break the illusion that he is a part of society and help him finally think independently. He grew to accept his position more and even come to enjoy it over the next eleven months. He began looking forward to the slap on the shoulder and the concluding statement of, "That's all for today, Monsieur Antichrist" from the judge (P71).