The Stranger by Albert Camus
Spoilers!!
While reading The Stranger, I was a bit thrown off by it starting with the main character's mom dying and coming to understand that, in a way, he doesn’t feel anything by it. It was interesting to come to understand that he wasn’t as close to his mother and didn't know some of the people of attended her funeral. Her death will be thoroughly mentioned throughout the rest of the book. I think this book should be read around the same time you read No Longer Human by Dazai Osamu due to the similarities you can see between the books. As the book progresses, we see the main character become friends with a guy who is someone with questionable morals, and watching the MC cover for him when it comes to filing a police report in an event later in their interaction. As the book progresses, I feel like he begins to lose himself or at least muddies his morality due to his non-caring attitude.
As the book progresses to the main point, I feel like the MC is just a side character, not really in control of what he does, or rather, what emotions he should be feeling. When the conflict arises, we read as the character does something that isn’t “in-character” for him, but rather something more in tune with the friend he has made before, because as we read it would’ve been an action he would’ve done rather than the MC. The MC has no care for the life or death of those around him, even after he has killed a man; it’s as if, like the book argues, that life has no meaning, and in turn, I would believe that death, too, has no meaning as well. The MC, in turn, becomes a stranger to himself compared to what we saw at the beginning of the book, watching or reading as his actions show or express his thoughts that life and death have no meaning.
This book was an extremely easy read that makes one think about how the character acts and thinks as the book progresses. Although, like I have stated before, I do think this book and No Longer Human should be read around the same time due to the similar nature that the books deal with. Although, unlike in No Longer Human who Oba tries his best to not be caught by others so they don’t find out he is different. The MC in The Stranger outwardly shows that he is indifferent to things around him.
#bookrecommendations #literature #whativeread #bookreveiw #frenchauthor
Albert Camus’ 'The Stranger' is a cornerstone of existential literature, presenting complex themes of absurdism and emotional detachment. The protagonist, Meursault, exemplifies the core of the absurdist philosophy, highlighting how societal norms and expectations can conflict with individual experiences. His actions, particularly surrounding his mother’s death, reveal a profound introspection about human existence and emotional responses. Readers often compare Meursault’s journey to that of other literary characters struggling with personal identity and societal expectations, like Oba in 'No Longer Human' by Dazai Osamu, suggesting a shared exploration of existential themes. Both characters portray the inner turmoil faced when confronting life's inherent meaninglessness. Additionally, the setting of 'The Stranger' plays a crucial role in emphasizing the protagonist’s isolation. The sun, for instance, serves as a recurring motif, influencing his emotional state and actions throughout the narrative. This relationship with the environment underscores how external elements can shape our perceptions and responses to life’s events. To truly appreciate Camus’ work, readers should engage with interpretations of absurdism and consider how these themes resonate in contemporary discussions about mental health, alienation, and morality in modern society. By familiarizing oneself with these existential ideas, you can gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical questions posed in 'The Stranger.'