The importance of the character of Marie in The Outsider
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 lines on page 37 , "I really fancied her because she was wearing a pretty red and white striped dress and leather sandals. But Marie did not shiver from the coldness of Meursault's statements. These bodily descriptions give us the sense of emotional detachment that Mersault feels for Marie and points out that the essence of their relationship revolves purely around sex and physical pleasure. Both Raymond as well as Salamano and his dog have their own stories to tell. By the words 'story to tell', I mean a background story or an element to add to the plot. Further objectification of Marie can also be observed through the absence of voice that the author has given her. The lines "when she laughed I fancied her again" and ". Marie's character is thus responsible for invoking sympathy within the reader for Meursault. This was when the judge and jury intently listened to her statement. Marie's voicelessness can be seen at every instance in the novel involving her. This shows, therefore, the objectification of Marie even during her introduction in the novel. One distinct point worth mentioning in this context is that she is the only 'side' character in the book who does not have a story to tell. This is what makes him seem emotionless and this lack of emotion is seen as an incongruence with the norms of society. We thus made aware of Meursault's choice of not entangling himself in a relationship of love and emotion.
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