ss the character of Meursault in detail. [NB: This question must show his view of society as well as his trial. This also must prove him as an existential and anti-hero. ★★★
Albert Camus’s (1913-1960) “The Outsider” (1942) tells the story of Meursault. He lives in Algiers. He works in an office. He is the narrator of the novel. But he is not like others. He is an outsider. He does not cry when his mother dies. He does not show passion for love. He kills an Arab on the beach. At the trial, he is judged more for his indifference than for his crime. His character reflects Camus’s Absurd philosophy.
Meursault and His Mother’s Death: The novel begins with death. Meursault gets a telegram. It says his mother has died at the old age home in Marengo. He says,
“Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday; I can’t be sure.”
This shows his indifference from the first line. He takes the bus. On the way, he feels sleepy. At the old home, the Director tells him the coffin is sealed. The Caretaker asks to open it, but Meursault refuses to see his mother’s face. He spends the night by the coffin. He drinks coffee. He smokes. He listens to the Caretaker’s endless talk. The next day, the funeral takes place. Thomas Pérez, his mother’s companion, walks under the hot sun and nearly faints. Meursault notices only the sun and the heat. He says very little. He does not cry. After the funeral, he returns to Algiers calmly. He says,
“Mother now was buried, and tomorrow I’d be going back to work as usual.”
This shows his detachment. Society later sees him as heartless.
Meursault and Love: The very next day, Meursault meets Marie Cardona at the beach. They swim. They laugh. They spend the day together. In the evening, they go to the cinema and watch a comedy. Later, they spend the night together. Meursault says,
“Marie came that evening and asked me if I’d marry her.”
Meursault answers coldly,
“I said I didn’t mind; if she was keen on it, we’d get married.”
He even agrees to marry her if she wishes. Marie loves him, but he feels indifferent. His response confuses her, but she stays with him. Even when he is in prison, Marie comes to visit. She hopes for marriage. But Meursault never changes. He remains calm and emotionless.
Meursault and Neighbors: Meursault’s neighbors reveal his detachment. Salamano curses and beats his sick dog, yet cries when it runs away. Meursault listens silently, without comment. Raymond Sintès, rumored to be a pimp. He beats his mistress and asks Meursault to write a letter. He agrees without concern. Later, Raymond fights the Arab, and the police slap him. Raymond asks Meursault to testify. He accepts calmly. He shows his indifference to morality.
The Murder and the Trial: One Sunday, Meursault, Marie, and Raymond go to Masson’s beach house. They swim and eat. Later, they meet two Arabs. One is the brother of Raymond’s mistress. A fight happens. Raymond is injured. Later, Meursault walks alone. The sun blinds him. The heat presses on him. He sees the Arab with a knife. He fires five shots. At the trial, the focus is not on the crime. Witnesses like the Director, the Caretaker, and Marie talk about his behavior at his mother’s funeral. The Prosecutor calls him a monster. He says a man who cannot cry at his mother’s death is dangerous. When asked why he killed, Meursault says,
“It was because of the sun.”
The court laughs. He is sentenced to death.
Existential Hero and Anti-Hero: In prison, Meursault thinks about life. The Magistrate shows him a crucifix. He refuses faith. The Chaplain asks him to pray. Meursault shouts,
“I didn’t believe in God.”
He rejects God and hope. He accepts death. He realizes life has no meaning. Yet he finds peace in this truth. He says the world is indifferent. He feels happy under the vast night sky. Meursault is not a hero. He has no ambition or glory. But he becomes an existential hero. He accepts the absurd. He faces death without fear.
The character of Meursault is unique. He is calm, honest, and indifferent. He does not lie to please society. He accepts life as meaningless. He accepts death as natural. His trial shows society’s fear of people who are different. Meursault is an outsider, an anti-hero, but also a symbol of truth and freedom.
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