Camus' "The Stranger" shows us the strange and random nature of life in a few clear ways:
The Universe Just Doesn't Care: The main character, Meursault, looks at the world in a very calm and distant way. When his mother dies, he reacts without much feeling. This shows how life events can feel random and without any true meaning. He doesn't act like everyone expects him to, which makes the situation even more confusing.
Looking for Meaning: As the story goes on, Meursault thinks about big questions about life. But he finds that the usual ideas about finding meaning don’t fit him. When he goes to trial, it’s more about how society thinks he should behave than what he actually did. This shows how people try to create meaning in a world that feels chaotic.
Accepting the Absurd: At the peak of the story, Meursault discovers that life might not have any real meaning. Instead of being sad about this, he learns to accept it. This acceptance helps him feel more free.
In simple terms, "The Stranger" highlights the idea that life can often seem unreasonable. It encourages us to think about how we look for meaning in a world that seems indifferent.
Camus' "The Stranger" shows us the strange and random nature of life in a few clear ways:
The Universe Just Doesn't Care: The main character, Meursault, looks at the world in a very calm and distant way. When his mother dies, he reacts without much feeling. This shows how life events can feel random and without any true meaning. He doesn't act like everyone expects him to, which makes the situation even more confusing.
Looking for Meaning: As the story goes on, Meursault thinks about big questions about life. But he finds that the usual ideas about finding meaning don’t fit him. When he goes to trial, it’s more about how society thinks he should behave than what he actually did. This shows how people try to create meaning in a world that feels chaotic.
Accepting the Absurd: At the peak of the story, Meursault discovers that life might not have any real meaning. Instead of being sad about this, he learns to accept it. This acceptance helps him feel more free.
In simple terms, "The Stranger" highlights the idea that life can often seem unreasonable. It encourages us to think about how we look for meaning in a world that seems indifferent.