"The Stranger"

Book Review # 113945

English > Analysis
Literature > French

"The Stranger"

A review of "The Stranger" by Albert Camus.

827 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2008 France

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Albert Camus develops his theory of the absurd throughout his existential novel, "The Stranger", which is based on his belief that there is no meaning or absolute truth in life. The paper relates that the protagonist Meursault in the story is clearly an unapologetic individual, who is unreflective, uncaring and moved only through sensory experiences and that Camus' uses this to reinforce his message that there are only relative truths in life. Specifically, this paper presents an artistic criticism of "The Stranger" in which the writer reflects on the different ways in which Camus' portrays his beliefs concerning twentieth century mankind, and the apparent hopelessness of human existence.

From the Paper:

"Absolute truth, according to Albert Camus, does not exist, and it is this theme, along with the absurdity of human existence, that he is attempting to portray throughout The Stranger. Through the alienated character of Meursault, who is shallow, almost inhuman, and an unrecognizable member of the human race, Camus attempts to shows us that our actions do not matter when viewed through the eyes of an eternal universe. What we do, say, and believe, therefore, are only important to us, and, perhaps, to those that they affect, but they are not significant, and neither are they Truth. Camus' basic point within this is that the only things that are real are physical experiences."

Sample of Sources Used:

Albert Camus - author, Stuart Gilbert - transltr. The Stranger. Contributors: Publisher: Vintage Books. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 1954. Page Number: iii.