Throughout “The Stranger,” each character possess a unique philosophy on the value of life. This contrast between each character’s interpretation of life is captivating and grabs the attention of readers. This notion of philosophical beliefs about life portrayed throughout the novel as readers become exposed to the various philosophies different characters possess in the novel. With such a variety, the reader is able to connect to Albert Camus’ novel through their own opinions and experiences to create their own philosophy about the value life holds. Readers are able to compare the values they possess to those the characters in the novel possess. This connection is not forced upon by Camus, but instead, it’s solely formed by the reader.
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Throughout Part One of the novel Meursault appears to display a nihilistic interpretation of life. His supposed nihilistic behavior is displayed when he lacks to display emotion at his mother’s funeral (Camus 14-18). Meursault lives life unconsciously and lacks to find a purpose for living it during the first part of the novel. He believes the only thing certain in life is the inevitability of death, causing him to view life as meaningless. Meursault lives strongly by this motto during Part One of the book by living his life unconsciously by disregarding the world around him. In doing so, Meursault appears to show that he has no purpose in life and to be viewed as possessing a nihilistic philosophy of life. Despite his nihilistic appearance in the first part of “The Stranger,” Meursault shows he even has a purpose in life, even though he’s on the other side of the spectrum as he becomes conscious of his life and the world around him. He reveals his dramatic shift after his blind rage in court. Noticing this Meursault states that, “for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so like myself။so like a brother။ I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate”(Camus 122-123). In this moment Meursault recognizes the reality of his own existence when he reflects back on how joyful he was in the position he held in society. Although blind to his life before the murder, he cherishes his life more than ever. From this, it’s evident that Meursault is not nihilistic but instead he’s externalist. His externalism is what makes aware of his final fate know that he will
Throughout Part One of the novel Meursault appears to display a nihilistic interpretation of life. His supposed nihilistic behavior is displayed when he lacks to display emotion at his mother’s funeral (Camus 14-18). Meursault lives life unconsciously and lacks to find a purpose for living it during the first part of the novel. He believes the only thing certain in life is the inevitability of death, causing him to view life as meaningless. Meursault lives strongly by this motto during Part One of the book by living his life unconsciously by disregarding the world around him. In doing so, Meursault appears to show that he has no purpose in life and to be viewed as possessing a nihilistic philosophy of life. Despite his nihilistic appearance in the first part of “The Stranger,” Meursault shows he even has a purpose in life, even though he’s on the other side of the spectrum as he becomes conscious of his life and the world around him. He reveals his dramatic shift after his blind rage in court. Noticing this Meursault states that, “for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so like myself။so like a brother။ I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate”(Camus 122-123). In this moment Meursault recognizes the reality of his own existence when he reflects back on how joyful he was in the position he held in society. Although blind to his life before the murder, he cherishes his life more than ever. From this, it’s evident that Meursault is not nihilistic but instead he’s externalist. His externalism is what makes aware of his final fate know that he will