The Stranger is an existentialist novel by Albert Camus about Meursault, an apathetic man who impulsively kills another man without reason or remorse. After helping his friend Raymond exact revenge on his girlfriend, the girlfriend's friend accosts Meursault on the beach and Meursault shoots him. Meursault shows no remorse at the trial, is sentenced to public decapitation and, in the end, rejecting a chaplain's attempts to redeem him through Christianity in a cathartic outburst, declaring the absurdity of existence, the illegitimacy of judgment and the indifference of the universe.
Meursault is a French Algerian who learns of his mother's death by telegram. Meursault's indifference to his mother's death demonstrates some emotional detachment from his environment. Other instances are shown. Meursault is also a truthful person, speaking his mind without regard for others. He is regarded as a stranger to society due to his indifference.
Meursault’s Mother was sent to an old people's home three years prior to her death, as noted in the opening line of the novel. As Meursault nears the time for his execution, he feels a kinship with his mother, thinking she, too, embraced a meaningless universe.
Raymond Sintès is a neighbour of Meursault who beats his Arab mistress. Her brother and friends try to take revenge. He brings Meursault into the conflict, and the latter kills the brother. Raymond and Meursault seem to develop a bond, and he testifies for Meursault during his trial.
Marie Cardona was a typist in the same workplace as Meursault. A day after he attends his mother's funeral, she meets him at a public pool, and they begin a relationship. Marie, like Meursault, enjoys sex. She represents the enjoyable life Meursault wants, and he misses her while in jail.
Masson is the owner of the beach house where Raymond takes Marie and Meursault. Masson is a carefree person who likes to live his life and be happy.
Salamano is an old man who routinely walks his dog. He abuses it but is still attached to it. When he loses his dog, he is distressed and asks Meursault for advice.
The Arabs include Raymond's mistress, her brother and assumed friends. None of the Arabs in The Stranger are named, reflecting the distance between the French colonists and indigenous peoples.
The Arab, a man shot and killed by Meursault on a beach in colonial Algiers. The Algerian journalist and novelist Kamel Daoud's novel The Meursault Investigation (2013) creates a reversal and commentary on Camus - creating an identity and family in life for the Arab who was killed, and for all the Arabs who had to live with the French.
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