Existentialistic Critique

“After that everything seemed to happen so fast, so deliberately, so naturally that I don’t remember any of it anymore. Except for one thing: as we entered the village, the nurse spoke to me.” (17)

This strange novel has only begun and it seams anyone could write a doctoral dissertation on a few pages.  Camus fills his book with existentialism and critiques on human society. Take the excerpt above, although Meursault has gone through a ‘traumatic’ experience he feels everything went to fast for him to care. As non-existentialists these feelings seam harsh or inhumane but that is Camus point, to critique the average persons obsessive behavior of the past. Mourning over the death of his mother would seam illogical for there is nothing Meursault can do about it. This toughness in the main character is what the author uses to attack human behaviors he disproves of. Camus might also be trying to hint something by using the nurse as the only person that actually matters to him. This nurse perhaps means that the only way a person can be healed is physically because it cures a present wound.

“On their way out, and much to my surprise, they all shook my hand-as if that night during which we hadn’t exchanged as much as a signal word had somehow brought us closer together.”

Although The Stranger appears to be a simple tale of middle-aged man in search of a purpose, Camus’ novel is much more of a propaganda for existentialism. Using situations and emotions most readers have had, the author is able to plant existentialism as the only explanation. Most people have been to a funeral and felt the same way Meursault feels: confused for why attending such an event makes people closer together. Logically the author would be right, how would an hour or two of mourning in silence make you feel like the know each other? Yet most know that although no words are said, mourning as a team feels much better. Camus opinions in the novel can be easily debated by reversing his logic.

The use of an indifferent personality is great tool that Camus uses smoothly to bring controversial topics intro the readers mind. Death was the highlight of the pure beginning of the book and now it has turned to love and physical abuse. When we discussed existentialism in class it felt ridiculous for how could the present be the only relevant part of time? Where you’ve been and where your going seams is almost everyone concern, constantly. The main character follows this absurd philosophy up to the point where he might wonder if it’s right. “A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn’t mean anything but than I didn’t think so. She looked sad.” (35)