The Development of Marie as a Foil in Camus’ The Stranger
In The Stranger, Albert Camus utilizes stylistic and structural elements in order to portray the character of Meursault as exemplifying absurd philosophical ideas and behavior. Many of the minor characters in the novel have storylines that simply serve to emphasize such traits in the novel. The most prominent example of this is the use of Meursault’s reconnection and subsequent romance with a former typist in his office, Marie Cardona. Throughout his mental and physical journey in the novel, Meursault maintains a relationship with Marie that has a stronger connection and presence in his thoughts than all of his other interactions. Camus establishes Marie as a foil to Meursault by using …show more content…
As previously discussed, Marie’s reactions to Meursault’s detachment from any emotional response to his mother’s death depict a contrast between the understanding of the importance of familial relationships between the two characters. In this scenario, the representation of Marie’s values, including the need for a period of mourning and seclusion immediately following the death of a close relative, is directly related to the traditional societal values of the characters’ community. This fact is later expanded upon during the proceedings of Meursault’s trial, in which the magistrate attempts to explain his perception of Meursault’s qualities that made him guilty through analysis of the murderer’s actions following his mother’s death. As emphasized through Marie’s reaction to Meursault during their first big encounter, the magistrate stresses Meursault’s ‘insensitivity’ surrounding the funeral (64). The connection between Marie’s reaction to Meursault’s mindset and other members of the community’s, like the magistrate’s, enables the utilization of Marie’s character as a foil to Meursault to play a key role in the establishment of the theme of deviation from societal norm, especially regarding the traditional understanding …show more content…
As their relationship deepens on the surface, Marie begins to consider higher levels to categorize their relationship, as typically expected by society. She asks Meursault if he loved her, only to be met with a statement of “I don’t think so” in response, which saddens her (35). Usually, people are not expected to carry out such blunt denials when responding to questions of love for people they are in relationships with. Additionally, when Marie later questions Meursault with the status and depth of their relationship, asking if he wanted to marry her, his reaction, consisting of emphasis on the fact that neither love nor marriage really mattered, highlights his emotional removal from the romantic aspects of their relationship, which is a clear divergence from customary reactions in society. The relationship between Meursault and Marie, while expected to be consisted of traditional aspects of romance by Marie, demonstrating the perception of “normal” society, is maintained in Meursault’s mind as being made up of highly physical roots of attraction instead of emotional ones. Throughout their relationship, while Marie is focused on emotions and the relationship’s depth and future, Meursault values his association of
In The Stranger, Albert Camus utilizes stylistic and structural elements in order to portray the character of Meursault as exemplifying absurd philosophical ideas and behavior. Many of the minor characters in the novel have storylines that simply serve to emphasize such traits in the novel. The most prominent example of this is the use of Meursault’s reconnection and subsequent romance with a former typist in his office, Marie Cardona. Throughout his mental and physical journey in the novel, Meursault maintains a relationship with Marie that has a stronger connection and presence in his thoughts than all of his other interactions. Camus establishes Marie as a foil to Meursault by using …show more content…
As previously discussed, Marie’s reactions to Meursault’s detachment from any emotional response to his mother’s death depict a contrast between the understanding of the importance of familial relationships between the two characters. In this scenario, the representation of Marie’s values, including the need for a period of mourning and seclusion immediately following the death of a close relative, is directly related to the traditional societal values of the characters’ community. This fact is later expanded upon during the proceedings of Meursault’s trial, in which the magistrate attempts to explain his perception of Meursault’s qualities that made him guilty through analysis of the murderer’s actions following his mother’s death. As emphasized through Marie’s reaction to Meursault during their first big encounter, the magistrate stresses Meursault’s ‘insensitivity’ surrounding the funeral (64). The connection between Marie’s reaction to Meursault’s mindset and other members of the community’s, like the magistrate’s, enables the utilization of Marie’s character as a foil to Meursault to play a key role in the establishment of the theme of deviation from societal norm, especially regarding the traditional understanding …show more content…
As their relationship deepens on the surface, Marie begins to consider higher levels to categorize their relationship, as typically expected by society. She asks Meursault if he loved her, only to be met with a statement of “I don’t think so” in response, which saddens her (35). Usually, people are not expected to carry out such blunt denials when responding to questions of love for people they are in relationships with. Additionally, when Marie later questions Meursault with the status and depth of their relationship, asking if he wanted to marry her, his reaction, consisting of emphasis on the fact that neither love nor marriage really mattered, highlights his emotional removal from the romantic aspects of their relationship, which is a clear divergence from customary reactions in society. The relationship between Meursault and Marie, while expected to be consisted of traditional aspects of romance by Marie, demonstrating the perception of “normal” society, is maintained in Meursault’s mind as being made up of highly physical roots of attraction instead of emotional ones. Throughout their relationship, while Marie is focused on emotions and the relationship’s depth and future, Meursault values his association of