Comparison of Character Masks in the novel "The Stranger" by Albert Camus

In the real world there exist many different people, of different races and ages, each one unique. Some live secluded lives with few friends and others live very rich and complex lives surrounded by friends and acquaintances. No matter what type of life is led it is human nature to adjust one's external personality to suit the specific situation, much like putting on and removing different masks. People tend to be polite and respectful to others in public even though they may not know the person well or not care for them, yet behind closed doors that mask may disappear and their true feelings may come to the surface. People may adjust their external behaviour and attitudes when around others because they may not like their true selves and either want to change themselves or just merely fit in with society and be liked by others. Another mask that is often worn is the powerful and superior one and so to feel superior when among others pushes them around and becomes a bully.

English: Edinburgh band, Meursault.

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This same person could be gentle, nice and kind when around family but may feel the need to appear superior around other people. This form of adjusting one's personality or mask to suit a situation in life, is also common among characters in novels, dramas, and other forms of literature. In certain characters it is evident in the novel The Stranger and the play A Doll's House . In some instances it is quite easy to notice but other times it may be difficult to identify the changes in character's masks as the changes slowly develop throughout the plot.

A form of mask wearing was found at the beginning of the novel The Stranger, where Meursault goes to the beach to go swimming and meets Marie Cardona...