So I read “The Stranger” by Albert Camus a few months ago and, despite having watched videos and read texts on the internet analyzing it, I think I still don’t understand it.
First of all, I want to clarify that I agree with the interpretation that most people give to the book: life has no meaning, it is absurd, but that is okay. We have to accept the absurdity of life and be happy with it.
Now, my doubts are the following:
1. **What is Meursault’s philosophical development?**
Throughout the book Camus represents Meursault as a person detached from life, who knows that nothing has meaning. It seems to me that his perspective on life doesn’t change that much from the beginning to the end. So what conclusion does he reach at the end of the book? What does Camus want to teach us with this character? I don’t understand how Meursault, who apparently has the same ideology at the beginning and end of the book, represents the optimistic message that Camus seems to be trying to give.
My interpretation is that the difference between the Meursault at the beginning and the one at the end is that, while they both know that life is absurd, the one at the end accepts that fact and is happy with it. But anyway I feel like I’m missing something with this character.
2. One of the main themes of the novel is how Meursault, due to not meeting social standards and seeing life so differently from the rest, is rejected by society and is seen as a monster (hence the title: “The Stranger”). **I don’t understand where Camus was going with this.** Did Camus just want to show how society views those who are different badly? Or is there another teaching behind this topic that I am missing?
3. **Why does Meursault want to be greeted with cries of hatred at the end of the book?**
Maybe I’m overthinking the points, or maybe my interpretation is not correct. Anyway, I’d like to see what you guys think!
by brymer_pl