The Stranger
Albert Camus
Albert Camus
biosketch
Born 1913 and Died 1960, Camus spent time in
Algiers and this has had a large impact and
influence on his writings.
He was a political journalist and active in the
French Resistance during the Nazi occupation of
France in WWII
He was deeply interested in philosophy and is
associated with and utilizes theories of it in his
works
Albert Camus
In an essay he wrote “The Myth of Sysyphus,” he
expounds upon the idea of the absurd and its
total acceptance in the absence of hope, (having
nothing to do with despair or renouncement) but
rather a conscious dissatisfaction - This
epitomizes Mersault the main character of The
Stranger.
Although associated with existentialism, the
author has rejected this and claimed absurdism
is a more apt description
Characters
Mersault - indifferent, detached, protagonist of
the novel, ‘the stranger,’; kills a man (Arab) for no
apparent reason
Marie Cardona - coworker, lover, fiance of
Mersault, she wants to marry him and supports
him throughout his trial although he is completely
indifferent toward her
Raymond Sintes - neighbor of Mersault and
known pimp, involves Mersault in his sordid
affairs
characters
Mersault’s mother - the novel begins with her
death and subsequent burial, and her son’s
seeming indifference, although he identifies with
her
The Chaplain - appeals to Mersault when he is in
prison and condemned, Mersault refuses to see
him, although the chaplain insists and is
somewhat threatened and disturbed by
Mersault’s atheism
Thomas Perez - companion of Mersault’s mother
in the old age home that they both reside in
characters
The examining magistrate - also completely
distressed by Mersault’s lack of grief over his
mother’s death and stubborn atheism
The Caretaker - keeps vigil with Mersault over his
mother’s coffin, drinks coffee and smokes
cigarettes with him, Mersault his annoyed by his
presence and chatty behavior. Later this weighs
heavily against Mersault in his trial
characters
The Director - of the old age home, consoles
Mersault initially when his mother dies and tells
him not to feel guilt at having placed her there,
however, during the trial he is judgemental and
damaging to Mersault’s case
Celeste - is the proprietor of a cafe that Mersault
frequents and provides testimony on his behalf at
the trial, asserting that he’s an honest, decent
man who suffered bad luck
characters
Masson - one of Raymond’s friends who invites
Raymond, Mersault, and Marie to his beach
house, (the beach is where the Arab was killed
by Mersault), Masson testifies good standing of
Mersault’s character
The Prosecutor - in the murder trial, he maintains
that Mersault is a cold, calculating, emotionless,
monster whose indifference destroys society, he
demands the death penalty
characters
Salamano - neighbor of Mersault that has an old
mangy dog that he abuses, but weeps over the
dog when it is missing - this relationship is
contrasted to Mersault and his mother
The Arab - the murder victim, and brother of
Raymond’s mistress, the crime is completely
motiveless for Mersault
Plot Summary
The action of the novel begins with Mersault
being informed of the death of his mother, who 3
years prior was placed in the care of a home for
aged people. His complete detachment,
indifference, aloofness, and lack of emotion over
the entire affair is an item of contention later in
the novel and is instrumental in his conviction
and condemnation. Shortly after, (days in fact),
he begins an affair with his co-worker Marie and
is seemingly only intersted in the sex he can
have with her.
plot summary
Mersault has some questionable neighbors
where he lives. Raymond the mistress beating
pimp involves Mersault in his shady affairs and
Mersault willingly obliges him. The old man
Salamano, who is basically cruel to his mangy
old dog, laments over the loss of the dog, when
the dog takes off after years of abuse.
Throughout all of this Marie is strangely (key root
word strange), attracted to Mersault and actually
wants to stay with him, asking him if he loves her
and if he wants to marry her.
plot summary
When Raymond’s friend Masson invites,
Raymond, Marie, and Mersault to his beach
house, the killing of the Arab occurs, when
Mersault is supposedly overwhelmed by his
surroundings. His refusal to lie and play the
game as it were, seals his fate, as he is
condemned essentially for the honesty of his
feelings.
“Killing an Arab”
The Cure
The band, The Cure, released its first single
entitled ‘Killing an Arab’ in 1979. The song has
been controversial for the band as it has been
misinterpreted as a song that promotes violence
against Arabs. The song actually was inspired by
the novel The Stranger, according to Cure lead
man Robert Smith, as he wrote lyrics and music
that represented the critical moments in the novel
and his impression of Mersault killing an Arab on
the beach.
“Killing An Arab” by The Cure
Killing An Arab
the Cure
Standing on the beach
•
With a gun in my hand
•
Staring at the sea
•
Staring at the sand
•
Staring down the barrel
•
At the arab on the ground
•
I can see his open mouth
•
But I hear no sound
•
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an arab
related reading
The Trial - Franz Kafka
Beyond Good and Evil - Friedrich Nietzche
The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger