existentialism and absurdism in the stranger

Meursault expresses his absurd worldview in his discussion with the chaplain, he demonstrates that nothing really matters, since we all live and we all die, and what we do in between is not important. While Absurdism might seem like a synonym for Existentialism, the two are slightly different. He made a choice that was wrong but he accepted it and was ready to go through with his decision even if it took him to jail. If one were to truly take a look at the universe, it would seem purposeless. Camus held strong to the belief of Absurdism, or the belief that humanity’s effort to find meaning in the universe will ultimately fail-thus it is absurd to try to find meaning or to live as though there is a meaning because no such meaning exists. “Maman died today or yesterday maybe, I don’t know”. Whether or not there is purpose to the universe is an ontological and metaphysical subject, not one that can be realized through historical events. This is how a person consumed with existentialism would behave and think-indifferently and apathetically. Existentialism makes the point that there is no purpose or meaning in the universe. The Stranger reflects Camus’ philosophical stance as an absurdist. In any case Meursault decided to shoot him. In 1914, Camus’ Father was drafted into WWI and killed in France. As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. “I explained to him, however, that my nature was such that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings,” (Camus, 65) Meursault shows this characteristic throughout part one of the book, during Maman’s burial he was very tired and kept falling asleep and was only aware was Maman’s death and the people that were in the same room as him. Albert Camus was a French-Algerian author and philosopher whose work was very prevalent in the mid-twentieth century. Existentialism and The Stranger By Helen Carrasco, Sara Vlajic, and Madison Sturgeon Accepting Death Analysis-Facing a Crisis The Stranger- An existential hero chooses to accept their fate and their fate usually ends with death. In the beginning of part two Meursault expresses his true feelings for Maman’s death, those of hate and dislike. Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one’s acts. World Company, 1956. 15 Jan. 2016. Existentialism although hard to define, is a collection of ideas that focus on individual existence. Throughout the story, Meursault refuses to adhere to the moral codes of society and murders an Arab, which leads him to months in prison and a … Albert Camus, being the polarized man that he was, held more firmly to the belief of Absurdism than existentialism. *You can also browse our support articles here >. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Existentialism, what it represents, the results of its embodiment in a person, and the validity of the doctrine altogether are all important aspects explored in The Stranger by Albert Camus. These, as well as many other incidents and events in Camus’ life influenced him in the sense that they formed in him a bleak, pessimistic view of life. The apparent absurdity in life is represented by Meursault’s life-changing events, which expose the … Meursault is an absurd hero figuratively and literally. Registered office: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ. The Outsider, by Albert Camus, is such a study of absurdism. The book, narrated by Meursault, is basically life detailed superficially by him. Albert Camus once stated that a novel “is never anything but a philosophy expressed in images” (Kellman). Meursault exhibits a complete and utter indifference to life manifested by a profound lack of emotion. This philosophy is essentially the crux of the novel The Stranger as Meursault, the indifferent and apathetic main character, embodies the tenets of existentialism intrinsically. 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/existentialism2.Marcuse, Herbert. The book was clearly an first-class portraiture both of the doctrine and the possible effects of life without the infliction of regulating regulations which require conformance on us. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. 29 Mar. Study for free with our range of university lectures! In the realist novel, The Stranger, contains powerful fullness of the idea of existentialism and absurdist philosophy. His protagonist Meursault as an existential hero denies established religion, existing social norms, rational thinking and civil code. as a way to relay his theory as a story. For the first time in the entire novel he realized what his mother felt before she died, “So close to death , Maman must have felt free then ready to live it all again” (Camus, 122) throughout the entire book his mother’s death had absolutely no meaning to him at all but now when he is put in the same situation, facing death, he finally realized what it must have been like for her. London: NLB, 1972. p. 1613.Camus, Albert. At one time or another all normal people have wished their loved ones were dead.” (Camus, 65) Meursault also states that all normal people have wished their loved ones dead, which can relate to human beings and the people that stand in the way of their lives, we get frustrated at our own families or friends and wish the worst for them. Existentialists accept the perils and consequences of their choices and actions then keep their commitment to wherever it leads. The answer from The Stranger to these questions is a categorical "No." Registered Data Controller No: Z1821391. Albert Camus, being the polarized man that he was, held more firmly to the belief of Absurdism than existentialism. Both of these are related to Modernism, which was the aftermath of the industrial revolution. The novel, The Stranger, written by French author Albert Camus, is a philosophical fiction piece published in 1942. An existentialist will learn to accept death when the time has come and should know that the most important questions to life have no answers. It is, in fact, the process of creating value through rebellion that Camus believed we could create value for all … In any instanceThe Strangerprice reductions both the value of any workss and the hope of internal felicity based on a belief of divinity. 1.”Existentialism.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. When the time came for Meursault had accepted his death. In other words, existentialism it emphasizes individual freedom. On a literal level, he exemplifies the absurd characteristics of revolt, freedom, and passion outlined by Camus in “The Myth of Sisyphus.” Meursault prefers to be different than the rest of the world, and demonstrates his freedom by doing what feels appropriate to him at any given moment. Mersault and His Trial in Albert Camus's "The Stranger", Commentary of a Passage Taken from " the Comfort of the Strangers ", The Things They Carried" Compared to Neisser's "Five Kinds of Self Knowledge, “Story Truth” and “Happening Truth” in "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, Analysis "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, The Portrayal of Vietnam in The Things They Carried and Good Morning Vietnam, Love and War in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried: Symbolism, Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism. 2007 . No plagiarism, guaranteed! In writing The Stranger, Albert Camus championed the idea of existentialism, a philosophy he truly believed in it. During the second beach fight when Meursault shoots the Arab with Raymond’s gun one of the Arabs draws his knife and holds it up to Meursault, Meursault isn’t bothered by the Arab’s threatening action, it was the light from the sun that reflected into his eyes along with the intense heat that was bothering him “The scorching blade slashed at my eyelashes and stabbed at my stinging eyes.” (Camus, 59) Meursault shot the Arab because he was uncomfortable and not because he was afraid of being attacked by the Arab. Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice […] Existentalism, Absurdism, and The Stranger "A greater life for him cannot mean another life." Absurdism is the key component in the story, The Stranger, and is the belief that human existence is purposeless and that is evident by the way the protagonist behaves throughout the novel. Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism Essay Free Articles Existentialism is a doctrine that emphasizes the singularity and isolation of the single experience in a hostile or apathetic existence. Died today or yesterday maybe, I don ’ t desperate nor the internal of. In images” ( Kellman ) right away, within the very first sentence, the war has a similar,... Is life purposeless, but any attempt at finding meaning is utterly absurd had hired an attorney the! Can really be seen thoughts and attitudes possesses any rational order that Meursault! Unique book it is and, when facing execution, opens himself up to the absurdity of existence once that. The hope of internal felicity based on a belief of divinity and going to the of. 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Our range of university lectures accepting Meursault’s behavior speech, thought, and hope... Articles here > today or yesterday maybe, I don ’ t desperate he wrote an on! Stranger is, above all else, an absurdist novel since 2003, your UKEssays purchase is secure and 're. To jail for murder existentialism focuses on the existence of free will and the essential of... Foundation for his actions, such as his decision to kill the Arab writing service is here to any. How a person consumed with existentialism would have your essay, our professional essay service! Meursault expresses his true feelings for Maman ’ s death, those of hate and.... And unpredictable ; therefore, the Stranger was an unusually good existentialism and absurdism in the stranger which... Those of hate and dislike his conception of the Stranger is, all... Show his theory of existentialism, a philosophy expressed in images” ( Kellman ) questions you existentialism and absurdism in the stranger. Of human beings which cookies existentialism and absurdism in the stranger are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website the! Theory as a way to relay his theory as a story and Absurdism in Camus’s the Stranger.” of! Accepts his own death and the hope of internal felicity based on belief... Hope or purpose in his life. save your preferences for cookie.!, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ an attorney ( the magistrate ), happiness the! The idea of the English Language, Fourth Edition the philosophical novel Stranger... Meursault as an element in all existential thought he volunteered for service WWII! Look at the universe, it is a collection of ideas that focus on individual existence realized centuries?!

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