lso on Meursault’s behavior after his mother’s death. They think it is strange that he did not cry at the funeral and went to the cinema the next day. The court sees his calmness as proof of cruelty. Instead of discussing the murder itself, they spend more time judging his personality. This shows how society cannot accept a person who refuses to pretend emotions.

The Court’s Focus on Meursault’s Character: During the trial, the prosecutor tries to show Meursault as a “heartless monster.” He speaks about his mother’s funeral again and again. He says that a man who does not weep for his mother can easily kill someone. He says:

"When I look into a man's face ... all I see is a monster.”

The audience in the courtroom reacts with shock and disgust. Meursault’s lawyer tries to defend him logically. He explains that the murder happened because of the strong heat and sunlight, not because Meursault planned it. But no one listens. The court wants a story of guilt and morality, not of truth and reason. This part of the trial shows how society demands emotional lies instead of honest indifference.

Camus uses this to express his idea of the “absurd” — the conflict between human life’s lack of meaning and society’s need to give it false meaning.

Meursault’s Silence and Isolation: Throughout the trial, Meursault stays silent most of the time. He answers questions briefly and without emotion. He does not try to defend himself strongly or show regret. When the judge asks if he felt sorry for the murder, he simply says, “more annoyed than sorry.” This makes the people in the courtroom see him as evil.

In truth, Meursault is not cruel—he is simply honest. He refuses to lie about feelings he does not have. But society cannot accept such honesty. As a result, he becomes completely isolated. Even his lawyer is embarrassed by his honesty and tries to speak for him instead. Meursault realizes that no one truly listens to his voice. The trial becomes a one-sided judgment, not a search for truth.

Judgment and Meaning of the Trial: At the end of the trial, Meursault is sentenced to death. The court does not punish him for killing the Arab but for being different. The prosecutor even says that Meursault’s soul is “empty.” His death sentence shows society’s fear of a man who refuses to follow its emotional rules.

After the trial, Meursault understands that life itself is meaningless and that everyone must die one day. This realization gives him peace. So, he wishes a large crowd of spectators would greet him with “cries of hate” during his execution.

“I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.”

He accepts the absurd truth of life—that human existence has no purpose beyond the moment we live.

In fine, the trial scenes in The Outsider show how Meursault’s crime becomes less important than his character. Society condemns him not for murder but for being honest and indifferent. The courtroom becomes a stage where false emotions win over truth. The trial is the turning point where Meursault’s alienation becomes complete, and he finally understands life’s absurd meaning.