The Stranger: Outline

Thesis: Society noticeably critiques the issues of death, religion, and the justice system in The Stranger. Camus comments on these inherent issues by focusing on how society reconciles a meaningless world with meaningful life.

I. Society is expected to follow specific rituals in association with death.

            A. “You know, your mother’s friends will be coming to keep vigil too. It’s customary” (9).

            B. “Then I felt like having a smoke. But I hesitated, because I didn't know if I could do it with Maman right there. I thought about it; it didn't matter. I offered the caretaker a cigarette and we smoked” (8).

            C. “For a second I had the ridiculous feeling that they were there to judge me” (10).

            D. “they will conclude that a stranger may offer a cup of coffee, but that beside the body of the one who brought him into the world, a son should have refused it” (91).

            When Mersault does not wish to see his mother’s body at her wake, he is harshly judged. There are certain traditions that society follows regarding death and mourning, and if one does not follow them, they are shunned for their insincerity. Everyone is puzzled as to why Mersault acted so strangely at his mother’s funeral. Camus focuses on everyone’s obsession with Mersault’s lack of appropriate behavior. Camus believes that they should not search for meaning where there is no meaning to be found.

II. Religion and faith in God is essential in one’s acceptance by society.

            A. “After a short silence, he stood up and told me that he wanted to help me, that I interested him, and that, with God’s help, he would do something for me” (67).

            B. “He told me that he believed in God, that is was his conviction that no man was so guilty that God would not forgive him, but in order for that to happen a man must repent and in so doing become like a child whose heart is open and ready to embrace all” (68).

            C. “He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him. That was his belief, and if he were ever to doubt it, his life would become meaningless” (69).

            D. “‘You do believe, don’t you, and you’re going to place your trust in Him, aren’t you?’ Obviously, I again said no. He fell back in his chair” (69).

            It is socially accepted to believe and worship God. In fact, when Mersault claims to not believe in God, the magistrate reacts as if he has never heard anything more foul in his life. He cannot comprehend why Mersault does not believe in God, but more importantly why he killed a man. Once again, Camus points out that society attempts to construct meaning in something that is meaningless. If Mersault does not know why he did something, than no one else can construct meaning in his life.

III. Camus exploits the justice system by showing that the world is not inherently meaningful.

            A. “My lawyer raised his arms and pleaded guilty, but with an explanation. The prosecutor waved his hands and proclaimed my guilt, but without an explanation” (98).

            B. “What I can say for certain is that I would rather Maman hadn’t died. But my lawyer didn’t seem satisfied. He said, ‘That’s not enough’” (65).

            C. “‘Here we have a perfect reflection of this entire trial: everything is true and nothing is true!’” (91).

            Mersault has no rational explanation for killing the Arab. Although he speaks up and tells he judge that he never intended on killing him, no one regards hiscomment. The prosecutor continues to construct a meaning within the murder when there is no inherent meaning at all. Because they cannot just accept the fact that Mersault killed a man with no intentions, the authorities continue to construct their own explanation of the murder.