Albert Camus' the Stranger Albert Camus' "The

Albert Camus' the Stranger Albert Camus' "The Stranger" (L'Etranger) is a story of how the protagonist Meursault is eventually condemned to die because he would not conform to what society expected of him. Meursault throughout the novel remains is own person: he reacts to situations exactly the way he wants to. His reactions are uncompromising even in the face of opposition and danger. Society expects us to behave within the bounds of specific norms. Society, especially in Meursault's case) left no room for individualism.

Camus' novel is a testament to individuality as opposed to working for the greater good of society. Meursault is condemned because he is a non-conformist. Meursault's character is one which does not worry about expressing emotion. Eventually society uses this part of his character against him. Meursault, confronted with the death of his mother does not react by being outwardly distraught. He does feel sadness, but he continues with his life. He even goes out on date with a former colleague. This is not to say Meursault lacks emotion.

Society expects certain emotions meant to be linked to specific events. Meursault cannot accept this social obligation imposed upon his life; he is an outsider to the society in which he lives. Further representative of Meursault's adamancy to concern himself with expressing emotion is his relationship with Marie. When inquired about marriage, Meursault indifferently responds that he would if "she wanted to." As traditionally viewed in society, marriage is a bond of love and affection; yet Meursault is completely indifference to the notion of romance, love or sharing.

He is apathetic to the needs of the woman who loves him. Meursault represents a fundamental truth (though unusual and unique) that true emotion comes from within and does not need public recognition. This is why Meursault is a true stranger. Society is threatened by this new way of thinking and so Meursault is cast on the outside. During the course of events involving Marie and a friend, Raymond, in a retroactive act of self-defense, Meursault shoots an Arab to death.

When he is imprisoned, the uniqueness that he brings to society eventually becomes his downfall. His defense is dispassionate. His friends come to his aid. They testify that he is really a loving man. They testify that as far as the crime was concerned, he was really in the wrong place at the wrong time. They also testify that the act of killing the Arab was really self-defense. But it is eventually discovered that the trial is not really about the crime.

The prosecution, with the aid of a sensation-minded press, makes this a trial about his character. The lack of emotion on his mother's death and lack of love for the woman who had professed her love for him was his real crime, according to the prosecution. They paint Meursault as something of an unfeeling psychopath. Meursault always remains true to his character. If he had a change of heart and became more passionate, society would have seen what was really in his heart.

But that would defeat his entire reason for being. Meursault approached this imminent threat to his freedom and even his life just as he approached every encounter or occurrence in his life -- with abject outward apathy. It does not help his.