Why is the novel called The Stranger? Look at the quote on p. 91 when the prosecutor says, "And [the jury] will conclude that a stranger may offer a cup of coffee, but that beside the body of the one who brought him into the world, a son should have refused it." How does this criticism relate to the major themes of the novel?
The prosecutor, in his closing arguement, says that Meursault is also guilty of the "more important" patricide case (one who kills his father) in the court the following day (102). Since we know that Meursault didn't literally kill the other man, what is the prosecutor arguing?
What do you make of the conclusion of the novel? Why does Meursault want there to be a large crowd shouting "cries of hate" (123) at him?
After all, Mersault does not even think about (false) hope anymore and deals with the judgments of the people who see him as the murderer, as the enemy. When Mersault realizes society's hate/"indifference" towards him, he decides to just face it. I think that Mersault wants there to be a large crowd shouting "cries of hate" to maybe viciously habituate him into thinking that it's his fate?
ReplyDeleteI think Meursault accepts his sentence. First he tried to fight back and he had hoped that the jury will come with the verdict of not guilty. but when the jury made the decision he lost his hope. By saying the sentence that he wants the large crowd to greet him with "cries of hate". What he is trying to say is if the public think giving him death penalty will serve justice. He is willing to take the death penalty.....
ReplyDeleteAlbert Camus mentioned "In our society any man who does not cry at his mother's funeral is liable to be condemned to death", I think Camus agree about death penalty for Meursault because he does not show any feelings for his mother on the day of her funeral neither he cry or see his mother. I think Camus is also trying to say by saying the word "condemned" means people should not care about that person who does not cry at their mother funeral and should not be respected or treated in anyways similarly like Meursalut he should be punished and received death penalty for his action.
ReplyDeleteMeursault has no emotions and he doesn't even care what his trial is going to end up as...
ReplyDeleteHe learned how to deal/cope with difficult situations through deep bonds that came from situations. His lack of confidence/surety some would say held him back. It may have been a blessing in disguise. He used this to his advantage. Who wouldn’t? It seemed as if those instances during those situations had ups and downs in terms of pain and enjoyment. He thought of it and then it passed by him like a shooting star. He then carried the torch on wards and upwards no matter the cost, consequence, or regrets. I’d say some would do the same if not most. Then again when life gives us lemon some if not most make beef stew instead of lemon juice. He is indifferent to life the same way he is to death. He states, "I had done this, and I hadn't done that. I hadn't done this thing but I had done another." As mentioned he could've done the other. The, 'cries of hate' are insoluble to his kindness. Nevertheless they're all humans.
ReplyDeleteI think the title and the quote by the prosecutor goes hand in hand in that Meursault in his isolationist demeanor acted like a stranger in the present of his dead mother. I use the term stranger to illustrate that a person who has no prior knowledge of a person cannot feel true sympathy toward their death ........ to be continued
ReplyDeleteI think that Meursault wants there to be a large crowd shouting "cries of hate" because that is what he desires. He already knows that there is no way for him to escape his death so he accepts it. Because he has accepted that i believe that he would rather see people hating on him than people with compassion on their faces.
ReplyDeleteI think meursault is just going to deal with whats going to happen to him. He knows he's done wrong and still doesn't show any emotion to that. Any normal person would of been upset and angry that they have to be executed no matter how bad the crime was.
ReplyDeleteHe was very against the the father praying for him. When he told the chaplain that he didn't what to hear it from him. It broke the chaplain heart. In a way he accepting the fact that he is being executed. He stated "every man life is a privilege", by that he is reflecting that he was happy at the point of execution. To have this the large crowd shouting at him, he says that he felt lonely and to have the crowd would make him feel that someone came to see him go away from the earth.
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