Time Traveler

Throughout The Stranger the concept of time seams random. Camus constantly skips huge chunks of the story for what seams no apparent reason. However these gaps hold valuable information that is extracted by inference. “It was the same sun, the same light shining on the same sand as before. For two hours they had stood still; for two hours it had been anchored in a sea of molten lead.” (58) The gap in the excerpt is used as a highlight on how Meursault is nervously waiting on the beach. But what Meursault doesn’t want to tell us is how nervous and uncomfortable he is. As the novel’s narrator, he hides his fear by skipping over emotions, that somehow are not worth telling.

“A few days after I entered prison, I realized that I wouldn’t like talking about this part of my life” (72)

Throughout the first part of The Stranger Meursault tries to avoid any kind of moments that will inspire emotion. In pg 44, when Salamano’ life is told, he skips the time between his wife dying and where he is now. These huge plot holes where any author would be glad to write an extensive emotional flash back are omitted which aid to the understanding of Meursault as a character and a possible reflection of Camus himself. Considering that these gaps are characteristic for emotional moments, the author might be omitting these moments because they are not worth being told. As an existentialist, the repetition between days and other people lives is time consuming and does not deserve a spot in the novel.

The books style and tonality change in Part 2, when a new self-bound prison inmate reveals his thoughts on what he is going through. “On my way out I was even going to shake his hand but just in time, I remembered that I had killed a man.” This quote shows how great Meursault’s change is between parts of the novel. Although gaps continue in the second part of the novel their use as emotion blockers changes to reveal a educated man with only his thought to live for.

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)