Ib Hl English Iop The Stranger

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Albert Camus wrote The Stranger during the Existentialist movement, which explains why the main character in the novel, Meursault, is characterized as detached and emotionless, two of the aspects of existentialism. Existentialism is the idea of free will. It is based off the idea that an individual makes his own choices and is the sum of his/her own actions. The father of Existentialism, Soren Kierkegaard, maintained the basis that “An individual is solely responsible for giving his/her own life meaning, and living that life passionately and sincerely.” Through Meursault, Camus creates a character he intends his readers to relate to. He wants to make the reader become part of his personal awareness. Camus is successful because he places the characters in realistic situations. He wants the reader to form a changing, ambiguous opinion of Meursault. Resulting in a continuous conflicting response from his actions and thoughts. From what Meursault narrates to the reader in the novel, the reader can understand why he attempts to find order and understanding in a confused and mystifying world. The first way Camus attempts to plant the reader within Muersault’s shoes. Camus writes in a simple, direct, and uncomplicated style. The choice of language serves well to convey the thoughts of Meursault. The story is told in the first person and traces the development of the narrator's attitude toward himself and the rest of the world.Through this sort of simple grammatical structure, Camus gives the reader the opportunity to become part of the awareness of Meursault. In Part I, what Meursault decides to mention are just concrete facts, often cognitively perceived by an average person. He describes objects and people, but makes no attempt to analyze them. The quote “I was tired. The caretaker took me to his room and I was able to clean up a little. I had some more coffee and milk,
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