ENG 112 - Analysis of Meursault's Character in Camus' 'The Stranger'

This assignment analyzes Albert Camus' novel, 'The Stranger,' focusing on the character of Meursault and his detachment from conventional human emotions and societal norms. The analysis examines Meursault's indifference to faith, interpersonal relationships, and the consequences of his actions, highlighting his acceptance of the world's indifference. The document presents four key passages from the novel to support the analysis, illustrating Meursault's duality of desires, the alienating effects of his imprisonment, his lack of emotional connection with others, and a moment of potential emotional awakening. The analysis emphasizes Meursault's deviation from normative human behavior and explores the complexities of his character, which sets him apart from the logical expectations of society. Despite the assignment brief's requirements not being met, the document provides a valuable analysis of key themes in the novel.

Running head: ENG 112
ENG 112 – ANALYSIS OF CAMUS’ ‘THE STRANGER’
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ENG 112
Considering ‘The Stranger’ as a work by Albert Camus, identification of aspects that are
humane, becomes a strenuous job. Meursault may not have received a trial that was entirely
humane in nature, but his own nature showed extreme derailment from the normative aspects of
humaneness itself. In that regard, it becomes important to understand that the emotional and
cognitive complexity of Meursault as a person becomes a key attribute that detaches himself
from what common people may seem as logical. The aspect of faith and religion for instance,
plays no meaningful role in the life of Meursault. At the same time, the interpersonal
relationships that Meursault shares with people, fail to promote a certain mindset in Meursault
that would seem logical and rational. Meursault looks at the humanity in world as a meaningless
existence. His acceptance of the ‘gentle indifference of the world’, serves to highlight the
vagueness of his position with respect to his actions and their consequences.
1. When she laughed I wanted her again. A moment later she asked me if I loved her. I
said that sort of question had no meaning, really; but I supposed I didn’t.
This passage highlights an aspect of the duality in desires, needs as well as perceptions
that Meursault faces. The absurdity of this passage can indicate that Meursault’s trial cannot be
entirely based on logical understanding of circumstances.
2. I’d read, of course, that in jail one ends up by losing track of time. But this had never
meant anything definite to me. I hadn’t grasped how days could be at once long and short . . . In
fact, I never thought of days as such; only the words “yesterday” and “tomorrow” still kept
some meaning.
The importance of this passage lies in showing how the jail acted as an alienating factor
for Meursault and his emotions. This is not a humane treatment where the person loses his own
self consciousness.

2ENG 112
3. Never in my life had I seen anyone so clearly as I saw these people; not a detail of
their clothes or features escaped me. And yet I couldn’t hear them, and it was hard to believe
they really existed.
This passage explores how Meursault, despite being able to see the physical features of
the people around him, never felt any emotional connection with them.
4. It was then I felt a sort of wave of indignation spreading through the courtroom, and
for the first time I understood that I was guilty. They got the doorkeeper to repeat what he had
said about the coffee and my smoking.
As an exploration of a sliver of resuscitation of a human feelings in a generally apathetic
man, this passage holds key significance in producing the contrast between the binary elements
in the novel.