The Stranger (quick notes)

fascinated with the external normal life heat & sky

depravation makes him focus on the internal because there is no external anymore... unusually happy in prison

The Stranger (outline, thesis, best ideas)

Outline:

Intro paragraph: introduce the essay by speaking about part I first -- general statements about him being detached. Perhaps begin speaking about his unusual indifference with his mother's passing? Then, towards the thesis, become more specific about part 2 and how he reveals more emotion.

Thesis: irony about how once he is in a confined environment, he opens up!

First body paragraph: explore Meursault in part 1 to eventually make the connection... quote about his mom passing away and another one describing Marie.

Second body paragraph: explore Meursault in part 2 in the prison... one quote about how he feels in the prison itself... he starts to have these epiphanies about his life and then another quote about Marie (a perfect way to compare his detached self in part 1!)

Conclusion:

The Stranger (essay question)

I'm thinking of writing my essay on the sudden shift in emotion during the beginning of part 2 in the novel. Meursault finally allows himself to become a bit vulnerable and reveals his sensitive side to the audience. For example, he speaks of Marie in a different way and even mentions his mother! This was extremely surprising, considering Meursault has not mentioned his mother since the funeral in the beginning of the novel.

The Stranger (pg 65-79)

Meursault begins to comprehend that not only does he not care what happens, but that the world does not care either. For example, when Meursault told Raymond not to shoot the Arab and to give him the gun, that is when Meursault reached an epiphany: “it was then that I realized you could either shoot or not shoot.” His epiphany  connotes that no difference exists between the two alternatives. In addition, the nature motif reoccurs during this chapter. In the beginning of the chapter, Meursault portrays nature's benefits: the sun calming his headache and the sea providing him and Marie to swim and enjoy each other's company. However, as the chapter progresses, Meursault conveys nature in a negative light. Moreover, the heat oppressing Meursault is an example of nature's negative on him. 

The Stranger (pg 45-64)

Meursault asserts that although details may change, one’s life remains essentially constant: "I said that people never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another and that I wasn’t dissatisfied with mine here at all." This declaration implies that each person’s life is essentially equal to everyone else’s. It becomes clear that Meursault concentrates largely on the moment in which he finds himself, with little reference to past occurrences or future consequences. This outlook perhaps explains his ambivalent attitude toward marriage with Marie; thus, the emotional and sentimental aspects of marriage never enter into his mind.

The Stranger (translator's note)

Meursault addresses a specific conversation he has with Marie in a passage from Part One, Chapter 4. With characteristic emotional indifference and detachment, Meursault responds to Marie’s question with complete honesty: "a minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn’t mean anything but that I didn’t think so." Always blunt, he never alters what he says to be considerate or to conform to societal expectations. However, Meursault’s honesty reflects his ignorance. His blunt words connote that he does not fully understand or care to acknowledge the emotional stakes in Marie’s question. In addition, in Meursault’s assertion that whether he loves Marie or not love “doesn’t mean anything,” the reader begins to understand one of Meursault's central idea: that the human life is meaningless.

The Stranger (pg 33-44)

Meursault does not attempt to assign a rational order to the events around him, and he is largely indifferent to human activity; he does not see his mother’s death as part of a larger structure of human existence. Meursault is Camus’s example of someone who does not need a rational world view to function and can function in an universe that is indifferent to human struggles. In addition, Meursault places such importance on the physical aspects of existence. He barely addresses Marie's personality and character; however, he focuses on describing their physical interactions. Lastly, in chapter 3, Meursault's neighbor, Raymond, serves as a foul for Meursault. Raymond convinces Meursault to assist him in his scheme to take further revenge on his mistress, to punish her for her infidelity. After manipulation, Meursault adheres to Raymond's request; this crystallizes the distinction between Meursault and Raymond. Raymond arranges to have sex with his mistress and then spit in her face. He uses the physical act of making love to his advantage, as a tool to humiliate and punish his mistress. However, Meursault views his sexual affair with Marie as fundamental pleasure. 

The Stranger (pg 12-33)

"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know." This is the first sentence in the novel, The Stranger, and we already discover the emotional indifference the novel's narrator and protagonist possesses. Meursault does not reveal any agony or dejection from the news of the telegram of his mother's death. Instead, he simply announces the news in an ordinary and frank manner. Moreover, he does not even care to find out the exact date of his mother's passing. His ambivalence and carelessness reveals a lot about his character. The reader can also perceive his aloof attitude as that he finds human existence meaningless.