The Stranger Essay -- English Literature

The StrangerThe Stranger exhibits a society that has confined itself with aspecific set of social standards that dictate the manner in which heap are supposed to act. This ideology determines the level ofmorality, and how much emphasis should placed on following thiscertain ethical structure. Albert Camuss main character, Meursault,is depicted as a nonconformist that is unwilling to play societysgame. Through Meursaults failure to comply with societys values andconform to the norm, he is rejected and also condemned to death bysociety. He is tested for the crime of murder, but is not judged solelyon his actions during the aforementioned crime. He is judged on hisspecific actions that society regards as absurd tally to itssocial standards. Meursaults polar outlook on life differentiateshim from the society around him, and as a result, he is deemed athreat to societys moral standard. He is unwilling to relinquish his philosophical system and subsequently is convicted due to his inabil ity toconform as society intends.Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I dont know. Meursaultscharacter is unable to physically express emotion regarding eithersituation. Even through the first person narrative that Camus employs,the endorser is unable to get a grasp as to Meursaults personalfeelings regarding certain matters in the novel. The event of hismothers death seems to have no effect on Meursault. He is neithersaddened nor overjoyed by the news of his mothers death. During thefuneral, he is unable to show any emotion, and gives the reader noinsight as to what he is thinking or feeling. The fact that he did notcry and the fact that he did not pay his reckon comes back to hauntMeurs... ...ble andunknown.The Stranger reveals the condemnation of man who was unwilling toconform to the norm of Algerian society. His unconventional philosophyconcerning life made him an outcast and utilize as a scapegoat forsocietys failure to uphold its own moral standard. It is the fear ofMe ursaults ideology that condemns him. It is the fear that hisideology would affect others from conforming to societys standardthat convicts him and sentences him to death. society had to eradicateany threat that might hinder conformity. Meursault refuses to becomeanother robot of society and adhere to the commonalities that occur insociety. Meursault had to live his life according to his ideology notthat of society. Only by realizing the absurdity of life doesMeursault truly live a fulfilled existence. I felt that I had beenhappy and that I was happy again.