Reflective Statement: The Stranger By Albert Camus

Reflective Statement, The Stranger Throughout the interactive panel discussion for The Stranger, I learned about how Camus’s views were reflected in his novel and differences between the societies of the novel and of real life. The story’s protagonist, Meursault, is seen by reader as an existentialist but he has certain traits where he could be perceived as someone who wants a connection but has difficulty receiving it. I also learned about how other people viewed Meursault's character in relation to the society. To begin with, the author Albert Camus’s views and personal life of society contributed to Meursault’s behavior and the story’s tone. It is implied that Meursault felt no grief when his mother died because Camus did not have a good relationship with his mother, especially after his father’s death. He failed multiple marriages, was denied from military enlistment, and lost his jobs. After these occurrences, Camus does not really feel any meaning to life. In the novel, Meursault normally feels indifferent toward events that the average person would have at least some emotion. These include his mother’s death and burial, possible marriage to Marie, friendship with

Existentialism questions human existence; Camus wondered if there was any meaning or purpose to living a human life. These beliefs are reflected in his famous novel The Stranger, written in 1942, through its protagonist Meursault. Meursault is an outcast who does not show much emotion to the world around him. Although Meursault’s actions and emotions give off clear evidence that he may have existential principles, the physical environments in which the story takes place contribute to showing Meursault’s thoughts on reality. The Stranger emphasizes the thoughts and beliefs of Meursault through its settings of his home, his average neighborhood, and the