Absurdity of Human Existance - the Stranger

964 Words4 Pages
Absurdity is defined as that which is contrary to reason; clearly untrue, unreasonable or ridiculous. The subject of existentialism is prevalent in Albert Camus’ novel The Stranger portrayed through the life of the protagonist, Meursault. Camus depicts absurdity bringing about happiness or indifference with respect to Meursault's life that are driven by his refusal to behave in accordance with social norms. Those revolts can be seem through instantaneous physical sensations like his sexual relationship with Marie or smoking that Meursualt desires, but invests little to no emotion in them. One can assume that Meursault's lack of care, in the end, allows him to understand the meaninglessness of mankind's struggle for acceptance. Both, Meursault and Camus are aware that in spite of all the pleasures life has to offer, human existence is absurd: "we exist in and are inescapably related to the world; ... and that death is inevitable and final end of life" (Rhein 3). The significance behind The Stranger is men's endless struggle to survive in an irrational universe he can't understand, and that the only certainty in existence is death. Mersault’s absurdity brings him somewhat joy. His indifference to Marie's affection towards him demonstrates that even though Meursault enjoys her companionship, it made no difference whether or not she loved him deeply enough to the point of getting married. "I answered the same way I had last time, that it didn't mean anything but that I probably didn't love her" (41). Meursault admires and is please by Marie's beauty, but quite ironically one can say that Marie's fateful encounter with him is the misfortune of his death. Later in the novel, when Marie takes the stand on Meursault trail in Meursault, she confesses the irregular things she had done with Meursault the day after Meursault's mother passed. "Gentlemen of the jury, the day

More about Absurdity of Human Existance - the Stranger

Open Document