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Individual Seminar Prep: The Stranger and Existentialism

Essential Questions: (you dont need to answer these directly right now)
How does Albert Camus illustrate his view of The Absurd in The Stranger? What, if anything, can you learn about how to create meaning in your life from Mersault?

Complete the following 3 parts: 1. What message do you think Camus is trying to share with his readers about how to live a life of
meaning? What can you learn from Mersaults personality and his experience throughout the novel about how to live (or not live) your own life?

2. Complete the table on page 2. I have created an example table for your reference but find your own
quotes!

3. Choose one of the seminar questions listed on Ashleys Wednesdays DP post and take notes on a
response youd like to formulate in seminar.

Ashleys Example
Existentialism Key Term
The Absurd

Page # and excerpt of the quote

Brief description of how this passage represents the key term

Existence precedes essence

Alienation

Angst/Individual Freedom and Responsibility of choice (Either of him avoiding responsibility or accepting free will or experiencing that angst in recognizing his free will.)

But when I had to give up my This captures the idea that life is meaningless, studies I learned very quickly that which is one part of the absurd. The Absurd is none of it really mattered (41) really the conflict between our desire to make meaning and the inherent meaninglessness of the universe. Then I thought, I shouldnt have All this talk of should emphasizes societal said that.(3) expectations of who we are and how we should act. We should cry at our mothers funeral, we should love our girlfriend/boyfriend, etcHowever, it is ultimately up to the individual to determine their own essenceaccording to existentialists, we shouldnt do or be who society or others thinks we should be. We should determine our own identity and make our own meaning out of life. I felt the need to reassure him Mersault is alienated from himself and his that I was like everybody else, individual identity as he tries to blend in with just like everybody else(66) the crowd at this point in the novel. It isnt my fault if they buried At this point in the novel, Mersault is Maman yesterday instead of reluctant to accept responsibility for anything. today (19) He assumes that if he denies free will and takes ownership, that he can continue to live a life of detachment and meaninglessness.

Blank chart on next page

Existentialism Key Term


The Absurd

Page # and excerpt of the quote

Brief description of how this passage represents the key term


I think that Meursault is finally accepting the absurdity of the world being that the world is indifferent to little trivial human problems and there is no rationality and meaning in life. I think that his execution is a perfect example of Meursault accepting the absurd in the world. I think that he is even looking forward to leaving behind and being above society and its worries. Thats why he wants a crowd there. It is absurd that they are so upset about him killing a man, and he wants to know that he is leaving behind this absurdity that makes up the world as he dies. Meursault understands because he has commited unkind actions, he will be treated as a man who is cruel. For that reason, he knows that society expects him to act as a criminal and not touch anyone because of his wrongdoings. However, being a criminal and a murderer may not be something that desecribes who he really is internally. He has to remember his place in society now; a murderer, and he has to act like one, because thats how society perceives him; not by who he truly is inside. I think this whole section really gets at the whole idea of isolation. Meursault himself is isolated as the nonconforming crazy guy. The spectators are there to judge society, but they seem rather detached from the whole situation as well. The last part that explains isolation is the fact that even though Meursault feels detached and isolated

As if that blind rage has washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, I that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much life myself so like a brother, really I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate. Pg. 123

Existence precedes essence

On my way out I was even going to shake his hand, but just in time, I remembered that I had killed a man. Pg. 64

Pg. 1 should, should, should.

Alienation

The reportersall had the same indifferent and somewhat snide look on their faces. One of them, however, much younger than the others, wearing gray flannels and a blue tie, had left his pen lying in front of him and was looking at meexamining me closely without betraying any definable emotion. And I had the odd impression of being watched by myself. Pg. 85

Angst/Individual Freedom and Responsibility of choice (Either of him avoiding responsibility or accepting free will or experiencing that angst in recognizing his free will.)

On the horizon, a tiny steamer went by, and I made out the black dot from the corner of my eye because I hadnt stopped watching the Arab. It occurred to me that all I had to do was turn around and that would be the end of it. But the whole beach, throbbing in the sun, was pressing on my back. Pg. 58

from society, he still identifies with one of the reporters. I think this shows that he is judging himself from societys perspective and he is watching himself be isolated from everyone else (society) around him. He understands his isolation, and feels as if he is being watched by himself because everyone is really isolated and detached in a certain way. Meursault understands that he has the total power to turn and kill man, and it seems that he struggles with that freedom, even if he doesnt know it. I can tell that he struggles with that freedom out of the fact that he starts getting physically uncomfortable. He realizes how hot it is and he tries to make himself physically uncomfortable rather than emotionally uncomfortable.

How has reading this book changed your outlook of the meaning of life? If anything, I think that reading this book has made me think that life is completely meaningless and I have no purpose. However, I think that Meursault approached it wrong. He just kind of gave up after finding out life was meaningless; whereas I think you need to find meaning in the things you do in life. Another thing that I took away from this book that changed my outlook on life is that society expects people to act a certain way, and I dont think thats necessary at all. People should have the freedom to react however they want, even if it doesnt seem normal to everyone.
Answer to part 1: Similarly to what I said above, I think that Camus is trying to say that life has no meaning and is chaotic and is irrational. We cant control what happens, but we can control trying to make meaning out of the things we do. Meursault is so emotionally immature that he cant find meaning in his life, whereas I can make meaning out of my life, and try to find purpose, even though there is known. I need to be aware and accept the absurd, and move on. Meursault was aware and accepted the absurd, but its almost like he committed suicide; he was able to free himself of all personal responsibilities and escape reality, which is unacceptable.

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