The document provides an overview and analysis of Albert Camus' novel The Stranger. It discusses Camus and the philosophy of the absurd explored in the novel. It analyzes the protagonist Meursault, describing him as emotionally indifferent, lacking outward grief, and challenging societal morals. It summarizes key moments in the novel and analyzes Meursault's character traits and how he represents indifference, challenging the certainty of religion and collective societal values.

1. THE STRANGER
ALBERT CAMUS (1946)
SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY
Pallavi Mam Shiwangi
220222400044
MA ENGLISH 2ND Sem

2. CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF
MEAURSAULT

3. ALBERT CAMUS KNOWN FOR
ALBERT CAMUS
( 7november1913, Drean, Algeria – 4January1960,Villeblevin, France )
is a French philosopher, author, dramatist and journalist. He uses
his debut novel, THE STRANGER(1942), as a platform to explore
absurdity, a concept central to his writings and at the core of his
treatment of questions about the meaning of life. In his work, Camus
addresses topics ranging from alienation to the inadequacy of
traditional values.
The novel is also known as ‘THE OUTSIDER’

4. PHILOSOPHY OF ABSURD IN “THE STRANGER”
The absurd, for Camus in THE STRANGER, is the meaninglessness
lying at the heart of our existence, our lives, and our being. The
stranger is not only to the world or the others, but also to himself,
his existence, his own body, that is his whole being.
Criticized by
Jean- Paul Sartre --- quietism of despair
Friedrich Neitzsche--- followed from the collapse of western
metaphysics.

5. REPRESENTATION OF PROTAGONIST (MEURSAULT)
• Meursault atheism and his lack of outward grief at his mother’s
funeral represents a serious challenge to the morals of society in
which he lives. Consequently, society brands him an outsider.
• Meursault lives an absurdist lifestyle and only places emphasis
on things that matter to him and that he sees as relevant. The
ideology of Meursault first comes to prominence after
Meursault’s mother dies.
since we are going to die, its obvious
that when and how don’t matter

6. CHARACTER TRAITS OF MEURSAULT’S
• Nihilist
• Less expressive
• Emotionally indifferent
• Observe people and surroundings carefully
• Observe more and speak less.
• Habit of not taking things and events seriously.
• Constant longing for a company.
• Confused
• Blended mode

7. ANALYSIS OF KEY MOMENTS IN ‘THE STRANGER’
• Meursault attends his mother’s funeral.
• Meursault goes to the beach and movies with
Marie.
• Marie, Meursault and Raymond travel to Masson’s
beach house.
• Marie asks Meursault to marry him.
• The magistrate brandishes a cross and asks
Meursault about his faith. He says he doesn’t
believe in GOD.
• Meursault is condemned to death by beheading.
• The chaplain tries to get Meursault to accepts the
indifference of the world and accepts his new fate.

8. IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER’S IN MEURSAULT’S
LIFE
Meursault remains unable to experience deep, complex relationships to the people in his life.
Weather it is a relationship of mother-son, friends, lover.
CHARACTERS OF HIS LIFE WERE….
Marie Reymond
Masson
His mother
Salamano

9. MEURSAULT’S SYMBOLIZE IN “THE STRANGER”
The stranger main character, Meursault,
represents indifference. Meursault lacks
emotion and empathy; and this makes
him an unlikeable and generally
unrelatable character.

10. WHY MEURSAULT SO HOSTILE TO RELIGION.
Meursault combats the chaplains religiousness with his own brand of
certainty– his certainty of his own death. Meursault challenges the
chaplain’s view of Christianity with the absurdist position that nothing
means more than anything else.

11. DO MEURSAULT IS A THREAT TO SOCIETY?
Meursault refuses to disguise his true feelings and
consequently he is considered as a monster and a major
threat to the society. Actually, Meursault embraces the free
will by rejecting the collective values of his society and
therefore the society labels him as a stranger.

12. CONCLUSION
• His character is significant in his own ways it represents a modern
man.
• He does what he wants to do and care less about other.
• For him being in prison and trial was just a game.
• Not at last he wanted to shows that he wanted to live.

13. THANK-YOU