Monday, May 20, 2013
Capitalism In "The Stranger"
So one of the questions in class was why is Camus writing a story about such an odd character. But Meursault isn't that odd. Do you think that Camus wrote this to simply display how modern life is focused on the external and what an individual means rather than how to help anyone else?
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I've only read through chapter 3, so my answer may change, but as of now I feel like Camus is writing The Stranger to show what life is like. Meursault writes like he is just going through the motions instead of analyzing every minute detail. But there is nothing wrong with this, in fact, the way people think is much closer to The Stranger than Jane Eyre or any other fluff-filled over detailed book.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Solly. Meursault's reactions to things, although sometimes we feel are under-exaggerated, seem very realistic. Sometimes, when people are faced with a death in their lives, they suppress their emotions and hold a lot back. They don't let their feelings be known and may at times take their suppressed anger out on others. And, I think Meursault is very much like this. His murder of the Arab shows this. He is so incredibly bottled up with unresolved feelings towards his mother (I think) and this may have been a way for him to put an end to some of that numbness. Camus' portrayal of Meursault in "The Stranger" is I think a way for us, the modern people, to associate with a character in a book. Most of the time, characters in books can be related to, but in this case I feel that it is much EASIER to relate to someone who you can almost feel bad for and WANT to know more about what they think...if that makes sense...
ReplyDeleteI do, however, disagree with what Tyler says about him NOT being odd. I think he most definitely isn't normal and thinks very differently from everyone else. So, I think that the reason Camus gave Meursault odd characteristics was to make us think. In 1984, I think this was also one of Orwell's motives for writing the novel. Who wants to read a story that has one meaning, one answer, and one ending? Personally, when I read a story I like to hear different interpretations about the characters and plot because I think it makes the book way more fun to read. Although annoying at times, I do enjoy trying to figure out what's really going through Meursault's head.
i do not think Camus wrote this to simply display how modern life is focused on the external and what an individual mean. i agree with solly and think that he wrote it to talk aout how life really is and how people truly think . i also think he wrote it to talk about the purpose of life and to argue against the normal beliefs and actions of society
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