Comparing F. Carney's Then And Now

To Be Conscious, is To Be Victorious

The little things are what make us who we are and have an impact on one's life. Nevertheless, whether or not we immediately acknowledge them, they hold more meaning than what we see as apparent. In "Then and Now," the philosopher Thomas F. Carney suggests that "in a semi conscious state and in which he is scarcely aware of himself... By exercising his power of choice... The human being is obliged to make himself what he is, and what he has to be." Although Meursault initially neglects to comprehend the meaning in the Magistrate’s religious convictions and his own unfavorable actions, in Albert Camus’ bildungsroman The Stranger, diction and irony reveal that in order to purge himself of the guilt of

After observing Meursault’s nonchalant reaction to his lack of confidence of being victorious in his case, the Magistrate tells him what he thinks he needs to hear; Meursault recalls him, “speaking very quickly and passionately, he told me that he believed in God, that it was his conviction that no man was so guilty that God would not forgive him, but in order for that to happen he must repent and in doing so become like a child whose heart is open and ready to embrace all.” (Camus, 68) The Magistrate is trying to convince Meursault that he needs to have faith and must be willing to accept any means of help to win the case. The use of the words passionately and believed portrays the Magistrate to have great confidence in his convictions and how it holds meaning to him; If it did not having meaning to him he would not be trying to convince Meursault of that God could save him. In retrospect, although the Magistrate urges Meursault to believe in God, to embrace all, he himself is not willing to embrace Meursault’s lack of confidence in winning the case. This speaks to the French’s refusal to embrace the Algiers because like the Magistrate, they tried to force their convictions on the Algiers so the French would be more confident in their convictions. Meursault expresses that he understands the Magistrates devotion to his religion

While visiting Meursault in prison, Marie asks Meursault if he needs anything and he replies, “yes, everything.” (Camus, 74) Meursault's polite response to Marie reveal Meursault's self reflection. Meursault has realized that he has lost everything -- Maman, Marie and most of all his freedom and seems to regret not embracing them while he could. When Meursault was free he was able to have whatever he wanted and was very nonchalant about how he treated his possessions. For Meursault to treat life as though it were easy to come by, it shows that he did not truly value the little things he did have. Meursault no longer has the mindset of a freeman and has realized that the people in his life did have meaning, they symbolize his freedom. Upon realizing this Meursault succumbs to condemnation and states that, "I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world." (Camus, 122) Meursault understands that his nonchalant take on life has brought him to the state he is now and that if the world does not care to treat him with importance, because he neglected to do the same for others, then it is okay because he is willing to endure condemnation. Although Meursault acknowledges his wrongs as being unfavorable, his true moment of consciousness is when he says, "I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators