It’s all strange

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Welcome readers,

Instead of writing an extensive and verbose book review/report on the last book I read, I want to share some brief insights on “The Stranger” by Albert Camus. This is the second book by Albert Camus I have read, and it’s a first-person novel that delves into absurdism through the perspective of a character who embraces the absurd adventures of his happiness and struggles.

• Themes:

• Absurdism: The conflict between humanity’s search for meaning and the universe’s silent indifference. 

• Existentialism: Focuses on individual freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. 
• Alienation: Meursault’s feeling of being an outsider, both to his society and to the colonial context. 

• Indifference: The universe’s and Meursault’s lack of concern for human values and morality. 

• Style: Camus uses a sparse, detached, first-person narrative that mirrors Meursault’s own emotional state. 

• Significance: A classic of 20th-century literature, it is considered a foundational text for understanding existentialism and absurdism.

• Revolt: Meursault demonstrates traits of someone who has embraced the absurd (absurdism) and is determined to revolt whenever challenged by societal conventions. Despite his behavior deviating from what is deemed normal (not showing sadness during his mother’s funeral), he continues doing what he enjoys without missing a step in his routine.

• Freedom/Passions and Experiences: Despite being imprisoned, Meursault had a reawakening and began to explore his thoughts, experiences, and memories, culminating in a cathartic rediscovery of himself. Furthermore, he found solace in reminiscing about the precious moments in his life full of passion and elation. It was at this point in the story that had me ponder the notion that Meursault should feel grateful to have those gratifying experiences to remember because he could have accepted the temptations of defeat and refused to fight to see another day. Eventually, Meursault came to terms with the fact that his past would begin to lose significance because he lost the physical freedom to enjoy it, so his mind was occupied with what was next: his execution in front of an audience.