The Stranger by Albert Camus
Essential Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is existentialism? Absurdism? Nihilism?
Is there meaning in life?
What do you see that others do not and vice versa?
Do individuals possess a sense of responsibility for others and what happens when they do not? Can you blame the
world around you?
5. Does the lack of socially accepted values destroy human nature?
6. What makes a character “human”?
The Stranger Characters








Meursault
Maman
The Narrator’s Boss
Marie Cardona
Raymond Sintès
Masson
Masson’s Wife
Salamano







Celeste
Thomas Perez
The Caretaker
The Director
The Chaplain
The Magistrate
The Prosecutor
Absurdism: philosophy based on the belief that man exists in an irrational and meaningless universe and in which man’s
life has no meaning outside his own existence. (absurd = ridiculously unreasonable, irrational, meaningless)
Narrative voice, tone, and diction: First-person, Meursault, the protagonist, as narrator. (As such, no other
character’s thoughts are known except from what can be interpreted by what the character says and does.)
PART ONE
Chapter 1
1. The first line of the book is one of the most famous lines in literature. Explain why.
2. Describe the heat in detail in one complete paragraph.
3. Summarize Meursault in one word. Why?
Chapter 2:
1. What does Meursault choose to do on Sunday? What does this demonstrate about his character?
2. What does Meursault mean when he says, “It occurred to me....really, nothing had changed.”?
3. Assignment: Find a window in your home. Sit for 10 to 30 minutes and write down everything that you see. Use
descriptive adjectives to describe what you see, what you hear, what is happening and what you think about your
view of the world.
Chapter 3:
1. Who is Salamano? Explain his relationship with his pet.
2. Use three words that describe Raymond.
3. Why does Meursault have a friendship with Raymond?
Assignment: Would you have a friendship with Raymond? Why or why not? Explain in detail. One full page.
Chapter 4:
1. Describe what happens to Raymond’s “girlfriend”?
2. Why does Meursault do nothing?
Assignment: What do you think was in the letter from Meursault? In a BUSINESS LETTER FORMAT, write the
letter from Meursault.
Chapter 5:
1. In your opinion, is Meursault’s behavior normal regarding his job and his girlfriend? Why or why not?
2. What explanation can you offer as to why Meursault follows the woman from Celeste’s?
3. Assignment: Compare the relationship between Salamano and his dog to Meursault and his mother.
Chapter 6:
1. The day begins with Meursault feeling ill. What does this foreshadow?
2. Describe the heat, the sun and the glare from both. How does this affect Meursault and his decisions?
3. What is meant by “it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness.” Explain briefly.
4. In your opinion, are the event of the day his fault? Why or why not?
5. Assignment: Of all of the characters in Part One, who do you relate to and why?
PART TWO
Chapter 1:
1. What has happened to Meursault?
2. Is he taking his circumstances seriously? Give an example.
3. What question does the attorney feel compelled to ask?
4. What explanation does Meursault give regarding his “nature”?
Chapter 2:
1. Briefly describe Meursault’s prison cell. Is this what he had expected?
2. In a sense, what item was more difficult for Meursault to lose than his freedom?
3. In your opinion, does Meursault have a conscience? Why or why not?
4. Assignment: If you had your freedom taken away, what is the one thing you would miss the most? Why?
Chapter 3:
1. A previous incident occurred between the caretaker and Meursault, which is briefly discussed during the trial. This
leads to Camus’ title of the novel. What is the incident?
2. How does the prosecutor attempt to prove that Meursault has no conscience?
3. What is the prosecutor implying when he questions Raymond? (refers to “chance” numerous times.)
4. Explain what Meursault means when he says, “it was back to my cell...sleep of the innocent.”
Chapter 4:
1. Does Meursault feel like he has anything to say to defend himself?
2. In your opinion, does Meursault believe that his crime was premeditated?
3. In this chapter, Meursault reveals the key to his character/personality. What is this?
Chapter 5:
1. When Meursault’s situation finally “sinks in,” what are the two things he always thinks about?
2. What does the priest mean when he says, “your heart is blind”?
3. In the last few paragraphs, how does Meursault finally relate to Maman?
4. Why does Meursault wish that a large crowd of spectators greet him with cries of hate at his execution?