Camus
In two of his greatest works, "The Stranger," and "The Myth of Sisyphus," Albert Camus exposes his readers to the existentialistic parts of philosophy. The existentialism within his works shapes his characters, by determining how they will act and respond to what is going on around them. However, due to the existentialism, the character stands out in a way unique to the characters in that work. Meursault, the protagonist in "The Stranger," is an insensitive individual. He shows no feelings towards anyone throughout the novel. It is this lack of feeling that strongly reflects the philosophy of existentialism. Meursault does not feel any sensations a normal human would have with members of the opposite sex, nor does anything important seem to interest him. This lack of feeling, Meursault does realize it is a problem, for he states himself, "I explained to him, however, that my nature was that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings.(pg 65)" Meursault also sees no reason for change in his li
In "The Stranger," Meursault is not afraid of death because everyone lives, and everyone will die, no matter how old you may be. When the priest asks Meursault if he would like a different life, his response was that he would like one that would be exactly the same as this current one. There is no way we can control our fate, because it is predetermined. Sisyphus also likes outsmarting the gods, and reaching the top of the mountain because it gives him a sense of accomplishment. Sisyphus watches his fate roll by which is a great example of existentialism. Work, a home, and a girl is what Meursault has, and he feels nothing more is needed. Both works of Camus' show the theme of absurbity, that life is meaningless by death, and an individual can't make sense of his experience. He is always happy due to the fact that he has no other feelings, so he doesn't have anything to compare to. Sisyphus, from "The Myth of Sisyphus," is a very practical person. The fate for the rest of his life, roll a rock to the top of a mountain, then stop and watch it roll back past him. "What did other people's death or a mother's love matter to me; what did his God or the lives people choose or the fate they think they elect matter to me when we are all elected by the same faith, me and billions of privileged people like him who also called themselves my brothers? Couldn't he see, couldn't he see that? Everybody was privileged. " Meursault is very content with his current life.
Common topics in this essay:
Myth Sisyphus,
Stranger Meursault,
Albert Camus,
Paris Meursault,
Sisyphus Fate,
top mountain,
myth sisyphus,
rock top mountain,
privileged people,
philosophy existentialism,
life meaningless,
lack feeling,
rock top,
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Acceptance Essays
