Thought Provoking Questions

1. Stealing my point for today, why does Camus begin his story with Meursault in full existentialism mode? Camus doesn't really explain how Meursault got that way.
2. What is the significance of Salamano's dog? Why does Camus write about a dog that doesn't have to do with the main plot of the Arabs and Raymond?
3. Is it significant that we know only (only know?) Meursault's last name? Why does Camus not include the protagonist's first name? (If it is mentioned, why is he always referred to by his last name?)
4. Why are the sentences short or broken up by commas and semicolons in the Stranger? Why is Camus writing like this?
5. What is the meaning of the robotic lady (pg 43)? She does not have a big impact in the story other than showing up at Meursault's trial. Why is she included and/or for what purpose is she in the story?
6. Why is the story set in Algiers? Why did Camus choose Algiers as the setting of all places?

Answers:

#2 Omar:
2. Why is Meursault indifferent to the sun itself, but the glare and heat seems to cause him excruciating pain?

Through the symbolism of the sun, Camus portrays Meursault's continual struggle with the inescapable absurdity of the universe.

#3 Anthony Q.:
4) What led to Meursault's view on life? How did his experience in school change his past perspective? (41).

I think Meursault may have always been this way his whole life. He does mention that he had ambition in school, but also that he had never been able to feel emotions. I think he has been emotionless and his life/his emotionless perspective taught him of the indifference of life.

#6 Anthony N.:
5.) Throughout the story, Meursault seems to be embroiled in lots of drama; the old man that loses his dog, Raymond beating his mistress, the death of his mother. Could each of these situations be coming together to say something?

I believe that Camus uses this drama to build up to the trial. Have you every played Spore? It's kind of like that. Every action you make affects how events turn out later. Everything Meursault does affects him in the future. Salamano, Marie, Masson, Celeste, Raymond, Perez, the robot lady, they all show up to his trial. I think it shows how your actions have consequences and you must live up to them/accept them.

He is nice to Salamano and Raymond, but even that gets him in trouble. The prosecutor makes Raymond look like a monster and cross examines the heck out of Salamano, and both desperately want to help him but can't.

#4 Tania:
2)Why does Camus separate the book right after Mersault shots the Arabian? Is the separation supposed to symbolize a change or growth in Mersaults character?

Camus separates the book into two parts to illustrate the consequences of decisions. Most of the characters Meursault interacts with shows up in at the trial. He helped Salamano and he testified in favor of Meursault. Meursault shoots the Arab and as a consequence he gets executed.

#5 Montana:
3. Why does Camus choose to give us so little information on Mersault? (His first name, his age, what he looks like, etc.)

Camus' lack of description for Meursault is a stylistic choice to distance the reader from the protagonist. It takes attention away from this tragic character and instead focuses on the experiences Meursault has.