Philosophy 1
Mark Pursley
Group Presentation Topics on Tolstoy and Camus
As a study group, select one of the following topics. Presentations should last 1520 minutes per group. Each member of the group should present. Each group must
submit a one page outline of the presentation prior to presenting.
Topic I: The Life of Ivan Ilyich. What was important of meaningful in Ivan’s life?
What principles or values did Ivan live by? What were his goals in life? What kinds of
relationships did he have with his wife, children, friends, and coworkers? Ch. 2-3
Topic II: The Death of Ivan Ilyich: How did Ivan cope with his illness and impending
death? How did the behavior of his family and doctors increase his suffering? Why did
he receive comfort Gerasim the pantry boy? What was the “lie” he suffered from?
Describe how the peasants and the upper classes differ in their attitude towards death.
Ch. 4-7
Topic III: Ivan Ilyich’s Legacy and Salvation: Describe the reaction of coworkers and
family members to Ivan’s death. What does this reveal about Ivan’s character? (Pages
31-41) What was the “moral agony” that Ivan suffered from? Describe the soul
searching that led to Ivan’s salvation in his final moments. What is “the real thing?” Ch
1; 8-12.
Topic IV: Meursault the Man: What is Meurault’s outlook on life, what is important or
meaningful to him? Describe and discuss his reaction to his Mother’s death and his
behavior at her funeral? Describe his relationship with his mother. Describe Meursault’s
relationships with Marie, Raymond, and Salamano. Pt. I Ch. 1-5
Topic V: Meursault the Murderer: Discuss the events leading up to the murder and
Meursault’s role in those events. What is unusual about Camus’ description of the
murder? What disturbs the examining magistrate about Meursault’s attitude towards his
crime? How did Meursault cope with life in prison? Discuss the trial. How would you
complete the following sentence: Meursault was not executed for the crime of murder
but for _______________? Did Meursault deserve the death penalty? T. I Ch. 6; Pt. II
Ch. 1-4
Topic VI The Meaning of Meursault: How did Meursault react to his death sentence?
Discuss his conversation with the chaplain. Explain and evaluate his claim that “nothing
matters.” How does Meursault come to understand his relationship with the universe at
the end? Explain the meaning of the last sentence of the novel. Pt. 2 Ch. 5