The purpose of this essay is to bring to light the significance of Marie as a character in Albert Camus', 'The Outsider'. Through analysis and criticism, this essay endeavors to reveal her importance as an aid to the better the reader's understanding of the personality of Meursault, the protagonist of the novel.
             Marie is first introduced to the reader in chapter two of part one. The description of Marie that Camus gives us in this chapter as well in other parts of the book is remarkably objective in nature. In every portrayal of Marie, the author paints a detached picture which highlights the objectification of Marie in this novel. The narrative employs short sentences which serve to emphasize the coldness and lack of emotion in the light under which Meursault sees Marie. This narrative style is noticed in the second paragraph on Page 24 especially in the lines "She had her leg against mine, and I was fondling her breasts. Towards the end of the show I kissed her, but badly. Afterwards she came back to my place." The apathy and indifference with which Camus has described Meursault's date with Marie resembles that of a history textbook, simply listing down a chronology of events, like consequences leading to a final outcome. The narrative in the rest of the chapter is comparatively rich in the use of adjectives and feeling. This shows, therefore, the objectification of Marie even during her introduction in the novel.
             Another characteristic trend that is observed in the description of Marie, is sensuality. Marie is presented only as a body, especially in the first part of the novel. The descriptions are sexual in context which exhibits the objectification of Marie into a body . The lines on page 37 , "I really fancied her because she was wearing a pretty red and white striped dress and leather sandals. You could see the shape of her firm breasts and her suntanned face was like a flower....