Literature Review

The word “absurdism” refers to a meaningless life. And in the Novel “The stranger” ;it says that society and its people most of the time do things what doesn’tmake any sense. sometimes there is no answer to what people are doing andwhy.For example a man formally maintains all kind of religious rituals but in practical life he takes bribes inspite of knowing that taking bribe forbidden in religion. And the wholethings is making no sense.

Daniel Henke says that Moreover the connection between Meursault and his mother canalso explain the connection between Meursault and the Arab. By examining themurderscene at the beach and the convoluted interconnections among Meursault, Maman and the Arab, we can begin to establish boundaries between suicide, homicideanditsrelationship with the Absurd.

B.S.S Bhagavan states, In Albert camus’ “The Stranger,” the theme of absurdity is a central element, vividly portrayed through the protagonist Meursault’s indifferent reactions to significant life events and the seemingly random sequence of eventsleading to the murder he commits. This portrayal aligns with Camus’ existential philosophy, particularly his concept of the absurd. Meursault’s reaction to his mother’sdeath is a critical demonstration of absurdity in the novel. He displays a striking lack of emotion, a detachment that challenges conventional societal norms of morning. The novel begins with the famous line, “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday; I can’t besure” (Camus,“The Stranger”). This Indifference is not a denial of emotion but a genuine deconnection, highlighting the arbitrary nature of human sentiments andsocietal expectation.

R. Gnanasakaran states that Meursault says he kills the Arab ‘because of the sun’. The sun is often a hostile force throughout the events he describes. The novel shows the conflict between man and a universe governed by the sun, which is the symbol of death. Meursault cannot continue living ‘because of the sun’ because man is fatedtodie. Hewould, however, like to begin living again just when he is about to be executed. At theend me his life he sees that he has been happy. Life has offered moments of pleasure. Although the sun governs the universe, the natural world is beautiful and has givenhimthe calm of the evening, the coolness of the sea, the laughter of Marie. Because of these simple pleasure, and because he is aware of what he is doing and honest withhimself, Meursault realises that, like Sisyphus in Camus’s version of the myth, heishappy.

In this thesis, the writer tries to focus on how Albert Camus tried to highlight the absurdism in his book “The Stranger” through various characters especially “Meursault”and the meaningless rules of the society. The absurd exists when there is no consistency between the actions and beliefs of most people in society.And on the other hand to some people nothing matters in such a meaningless society. It doesn’t mattermuch if you survive or not.