The Stranger – Albert Camus
Albert Camus’s The Stranger is one of the most
influential works of existentialist literature. The
novel is centered on Meursault, a French Algerian
who lives in Algiers. From the very beginning, the
novel introduces us to his indifference: the opening
line reveals that his mother has died, yet he shows
no grief or emotional reaction. This lack of
conventional feelings becomes one of the key
themes of the novel.
Meursault’s life is portrayed as monotonous. He
goes to work, swims, eats, smokes, and begins a
casual romantic relationship with Marie, a woman
he meets shortly after his mother’s funeral. Their
relationship is characterized by physical attraction
rather than deep emotional connection. His
indifference is further emphasized when she asks if
he loves her, and he replies that love “doesn’t
mean anything.”
The story takes a dark turn when Meursault
becomes entangled in a conflict with his neighbor
Raymond, who has violent issues with his mistress.
Through a series of chance encounters, Meursault
ends up on a beach where he shoots an Arab man,
killing him. The murder is described in detached
and sensory terms, focusing on the oppressive heat
and the blinding sun rather than any moral
justification. This moment is symbolic,
representing Meursault’s inability—or refusal—to
ascribe meaning to his actions.
The second half of the novel shifts to his trial. The
courtroom scenes reveal society’s condemnation
not only of the crime itself but also of Meursault’s
character. He is judged less for the murder and
more for his lack of conventional emotions—his
failure to cry at his mother’s funeral, his
willingness to go swimming and watch comedies
shortly afterward, and his disinterest in love and
marriage. In the eyes of society, his crime is
unforgivable because it reflects a rejection of
shared values and social norms.
Ultimately, Meursault is sentenced to death. In
prison, awaiting execution, he experiences a
profound existential awakening. He realizes that
life is absurd—that it has no inherent meaning or
higher purpose. Yet, rather than despair, he finds
peace in accepting life’s absurdity. In the final
moments, he feels a deep connection with the
universe, embracing its indifference as a mirror of
his own.
Camus uses Meursault’s story to explore
existential and absurdist philosophy. The novel
challenges readers to question the value of
traditional morality, the role of social conventions,
and the possibility of creating meaning in an
indifferent world. By the end, Meursault becomes
a symbol of authenticity—living without illusions,
fully aware of life’s absurdity.
