Who Is The Absurd In Albert Camus The Stranger?

In The Stranger by Albert Camus, there was the theme throughout of the author’s opinion of absurdity; the ludicrousness of the universe and the meaninglessness of human life. He propagated the notion of life not having any coherent meaning and any set mandate. The term “absurdity” defines man’s attempt to put meaning to life even where none exists. Man is constantly trying to prove that life has structure and order according to Camus as he has difficulties accepting that it is otherwise. Camus taunted us with many philosophical questions, over and over we are forced to wonder “who is man?”

Camus interest in exploring “the nakedness of man faced with the absurd” was evident through the main character, Meursault as he took us through the phases

Atheism is just another form of religion seeking answers to the meaning of life, death and whether or not life exists beyond the grave. This was evident in the words, “Man is nothing but that which he makes of himself”. While he believed that physical death is the complete and final end of life, the chaplain held on the religious teachings of life after death. Meursault was more focussed on himself and his environment more so than he was on society and human emotions Again, this reinforced his beliefs that life is just a fleeting moment and no regard is needed to focus on the meaning of death. In the courthouse, the crucifix that was waved at him also opposed his view of absurdity of human life and had him publicly denouncing Christianity through his word, "Then God can help you," he said. "Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him." I acknowledged that that was their right. It also meant that they must have had the time for it. As for me, I didn’t want anybody’s help, and I just didn’t have the time to interest myself in what didn’t interest me”. He believed that the religion of Christianity only served to put order to human existence and it was through his own passion for life that he chose to reject that particular religion. He discarded the view that man should be submissive to a “Higher Being” as ludicrous and that man has no excuse for failure except for his own doing, his own strength and nothing to do with “God’s Will”. Meursault’s critical stand led to his branding as a threat to society and order, “Mr. Anti-Christ”. His philosophical views were not accepted as societal norms and so led to him to being