The Stranger Name Background Information with Literature Terms Camus developed his theory of the absurd while in Paris. One of the main parts of absurdism is the idea that life has no rational or redeeming meaning. During this time the Nazis were wreaking their particular brand of havoc on the world, and Camus just came to the decision that life had no particular purpose. The Stranger was Camus first novel, published in 1942. He wrote several other novels and essays. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957, and died in a car wreck in 1960, at the age of 47. The protagonist is a guy named Mersault, and he is extremely indifferent to the people around him, including his mother and his lover, Marie. The Stranger is Camus philosophy of absurdism told through the story of Mersault, so it s part novel, part philosophical text. Some people classify this book as an existentialist piece. The definition for existentialism is: the idea that there is no higher meaning to the universe or to man s existence, and no rational order to the events of the world. Translation: there is no redeeming purpose to life, there is nothing beyond life. We exist, and that s it, and then it s over (you die). Both Existentialism and Absurdism are really, really depressing, but the main difference comes in how they apply to people. Existentialism just says that the world is indifferent to us and that s it. What we do with that indifference is up to us. Absurdism says that whatever we try to do with that indifference will not work, no matter what. So it kind of takes existentialism one step further. We can t find meaning, and we ll go crazy if we try. Alienation is a feeling of not belonging. This feeling can be physical, mental, spiritual, political, social, or economic and often it tends to be a combination of more than one of these types. Alienation is a driving force that pushes the human conscience to extremes. Part 1 Chapter 1 1. What is the setting? 2. Who died; what relation is this character to the narrator? 3. What point of view is the novel? 4. What is Meursault s (the narrator s) reaction to the death and traveling for the funeral? 1
5. In regards to his interaction with the soldier, when he says, Yes, just so I wouldn t have to say anything else, what does this reveal about Meursault? 6. Why didn t he visit his mom or Maman more often? 7. What funeral request did Maman make that surprised Meursault? Why was it ironic? 8. For a second, I had the ridiculous feeling that they were judging me. Meursault says this as Maman s friends are coming in for the service. What is significant or ironic about the situation? 9. The day after the wake or vigil, Meursault says, It was a beautiful day., yet he is annoyed why? 10. Who is Thomas Perez? 11. What did the funeral director ask Meursault if he wanted to do, but Meursault said no each time? 12. He repeatedly references things that bother his eyes in this chapter. What do you think it means or symbolizes? (This question has a million different answers, so don t stress over the perfect one.) 13. The last paragraph of chapter 1 has some AMAZING imagery. Pick one of the quotes that you think is AMAZING and write the quote here: Part 1 - Chapter 2 14. How did Meursault know Marie Cardona previously? 15. Is the attraction purely physical or emotional? Why? 2
16. After they swim, why do you think Marie is shocked to see Meursault put on mourning attire (the black tie and armband)? 17. In this chapter, what is the quote It didn t mean anything an example of? (Think philosophy.) 18. What does Meursault spend the majority of Sunday doing? 19. In regards to the previous question, what does this reveal about Meursault s character? 20. Again in chapter 2, Meursault is affected by a glare with his eyes. Provide a quote illustrating this motif or image from Chapter 2. 21. In regards to the previous question, what purpose does Camus have in continuing with this motif? What do you think it might symbolize? (There is no right or wrong answer.) Part 1 - Chapter 3 22. He told me what he was sorry but it was really a minor detail. What is Meursault talking about? 23. In regards to the previous quote, what does this reveal about Meursault s character? 24. Summarize the scene with Salamano and his dog. 25. How is Salamano characterized? 3
26. What is Raymond Sintes s job that he tells everyone? What does Meursault think is his real job? 27. Everyone avoids Raymond except Meursault. Everyone thinks Salamano is awful for how he treats his dog except Meursault. What is Camus s point about Meursault? 28. Why did Raymond beat up his girlfriend? 29. What is his revenge plan? 30. How does Meursault play a part in this plan? Part 1 - Chapter 4 31. Explain the scene at the beginning of chapter 4 where Meursault hurts Marie s feelings. 32. In reference to the previous question, why does Meursault do this? 33. What do you think about Raymond at this point? 34. Why (reference quotes/scenes)? 35. Discuss what happens between Salamano and his dog. 4
36. What type of relationship would you compare Salamano and his dog s to? 37. Why? 5
Part 1 - Chapter 5 38. Describe Raymond s invitation. 39. What does Raymond ask Meursault to be on the lookout for? 40. What opportunity does Meursault s boss offer him? 41. In regards to the previous question, how does Meursault make his boss furious? 42. Fill in the blank. I said that people change their, that in any case one life was as good as and that I wasn t dissatisfied with here at all. 43. How does Meursault describe himself when he was in college? 44. What made him change? 45. Describe the marriage proposal. 46. What interests Meursault about the woman at Celeste s? 47. Summarize the scene where Salamano talks to Meursault about his dog and his life. 48. I hope that the dogs don t bark tonight. I always think it s mine. Who said it? What s the significance? Part 1 - Chapter 6 6
49. Who is Masson? 50. What scene inspires Meursault to consider marriage? 51. Why is the sun bothersome to Meursault? For example, he says, the sun was overpowering. 52. Describe the 1 st fight on the beach between the Arabs and Raymond and Meursault. 53. Describe the 2 nd scene where Raymond contemplates shooting the Arabs. 54. What motivates Meursault not to go back to the bungalow with Raymond? 55. What does the following quote mean, The sun was the same as it had been the day I d buried Maman.? 56. What bothers Meursault the most the sun or the Arab? Why? 57. Explain the Arab s murder. 58. What does Meursault mean when he says, it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness? Part 2 - Chapter 1 7
59. It seemed like a game to me. What does Meursault mean? 60. Why doesn t Meursault shake the examining magistrate s hand? 61. Explain what Meursault tells his lawyers about how his physical needs get in the way of his feelings. 62. Give a couple of examples of how Meursault makes his attorney feel uncomfortable. 63. When speaking with his attorney for the first time, what surprises Meursault about his attorney s questions? 64. Meursault says, I was like everybody else, just like everybody else. Do you agree or disagree with him? Why? 65. What do the big black flies symbolize? 66. How does Meursault s disbelief in God affect the magistrate? 67. How is Meursault different than the other criminals that the magistrate has met? 68. How long has the investigation been going on thus far? 69. What is Meursault s nickname? Part 2 - Chapter 2 70. What observations did you make about Marie s 1 st visit? 71. Maman used to say, that after a while you could get used to anything. How is Maman s philosophy aiding Meursault? 8
72. What are the two main things that Meursault misses? 73. Summarize the Czechoslovakian story. 74. Who has Meursault been talking to for months? Part 2 - Chapter 3 75. What case will be after Meursault s? 76. Why has the press blown up Meursault s case? 77. What are the 4 main points that the funeral director makes about Meursault? 78. Why does Meursault have an urge to cry? 79. What does Celeste say about Meursault s crime? 80. What do the people in the court find offensive about Marie s testimony? 81. At the end of the chapter, Meursault s lawyer asks, Come now, is my client on trial for Finish this quote. 82. What epiphany or revelation does Meursault have before going back to jail when he looks out over the town? 9
Part 2 - Chapter 4 83. Why does Meursault s lawyer feel that Meursault speaking up does the case no good? 84. On the second page of chapter 4, state the 5 of the main points that the prosecutor feels are why Meursault is a premeditated murderer. 85. When the prosecutor peered into Meursault s soul, what did he find? 86. What is parricide? 87. How does the prosecutor say Meursault influenced the parricide case? 88. What punishment does the prosecutor ask the court to give Meursault? 89. When Meursault speaks, what does he say influenced him to kill the Arab? 90. Describe how Meursault feels when he sees Marie when leaving the courtroom. 91. What is the court s final judgment? Part 2 - Chapter 5 92. Who does Meursault keep refusing to see? 93. Explain the machinery of justice. 94. Is it fair or unfair to Meursault? Why? 95. Summarize the story that Maman told Meursault about his father. 96. What did Meursault say was perfectly normal? 10
97. Explain the reform and experiment that Meursault would make to the machinery of justice for condemned men and women. 98. What should the condemned man be called? 99. Fill in the blank. Maman used to say that you can always find something to be about. 100. Why do you think Meursault mentions Maman so much in this chapter? And it his comments about her are much more personalized? 101. Why does Meursault insist on calling the priest Monsieur? 102. Describe Meursault s breaking point. 103. Discuss Meursault s epiphany. 104. Explain the perfect scene that Meursault wants for his execution. 11