Annotation Guide for The Stranger
Use the suggestions below to aid in your annotations for The Stranger. Do not limit yourself to these
suggestions; instead, use them as a starting point. Remember to make note of anything you find significant, any
questions that you have, any insights you make, etc.
Irrationality of the Universe/Absurdism
 instances of humankind’s futile attempt to impose rationality on an irrational universe
 Meursault’s explanations for his motivations
The Meaninglessness of Human Life/ Mortality
 Meursault’s views regarding life & death
 instances/reactions to murder & execution
 epiphanies regarding death
Thematic Annotations
Isolation & Sadness
 instances of social and emotional isolation & how they impact Meursault.
 when we expect Meursault to feel sadness & why he fails
The Importance of the Physical World
 connections between Meursault & elements of nature
 the effect & purpose of physical descriptions
 connections between Meursault’s mood & the weather
 descriptions of the weather & their purpose
Religion
 holy characters & their intentions
 the use of religion by some characters
Women and Femininity
 physical vs. emotional nature of sexual relationships
 the appearance and fade out of any female characters
 the effect of women’s roles in the novel
 the nature of Meursault’s relationship with his mother vs. Perez’s
Society & Class
 characters that are conformists & non-conformists
 condemnations of non-conformists
Friendship & Companionship
 friendships & their natures
 distinctions between friendship & companionship
 attempts to replace friendships/companionships
Stylistic Annotations
Passivity
 instances of Meursault’s claim that one can get used to anything
 distinctions between indifference & acceptance
 appeals to detached passivity in the novel & Meursault’s view on them
Symbols
 The Sun/Heat/Weather
 Colors
 The Sea
 The Courtroom
 Old Robotic Woman
 Young Reporter
 Laughing & Swimming
 Prison
 The Crucifix
Motifs
 Death & Decay
 Watching & Observation
 The Sea
 The Courtroom
 Prison
 The Crucifix
Miscellaneous
 Narrative techniques & shifts
 Tone
 Mood
 Paradox
 Epiphany
 Transformation (note
instances)