The Stranger by Albert Camus.

Essay by OscarLouiseHigh School, 12th gradeA+, January 2004

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In The Stranger, Albert Camus reveals Meursault, the book's narrator and main character as distant, isolated, and unemotional. He does not think much about events or their consequences, nor does he express much feeling in relationships or during emotional times. He displays unconcern throughout the book in his reactions to people and events described in the book.

After Meursault's mothers death he sheds no tears and shows no emotion. He displays limited feelings for his girlfriend, Marie Cardona, and shows no remorse at all for killing an Arab. His reactions to life and to people distances him from his emotions, and from close relationships with others, therefore he is called by the book's title, "the stranger". While this behavior can be seen as a negative trait, there is a young woman who seems to want to have a relationship with Meursault and a neighbor who wants friendship.

Meursault rarely shows any feeling when in situations which would, for most people, bring out strong emotions. Throughout the vigil and funeral of his mother, he never cries. He is, further, described enjoying a cup of coffee with milk during the vigil, and having a smoke with a caretaker at the nursing home in which his mother died. The following day, after his mother's funeral, he goes to the beach and meets a former coworker named Marie Cardona. They swim, go to a movie, and then spend the night together. Later in their relationship, Marie asks Meursault if he wants to marry her. He responds that it doesn't matter to him, and if she wants to get married, he would agree. She then asks him if he loves her. To that question he responds that he probably doesn't, and explains that marriage really isn't such a serious thing and doesn't...