An Absurd Martyr
By Jacob Sherman
Some may argue that The Stranger by Albert Camus is a novel about a murderous sociopath who undergoes a change of heart when his morals are scrutinized by the public during his trial. However, closer examination of the text, with attention to Camus’s absurdist philosophy, reveals a new picture. Throughout the novel, Meursault lives an absurdist lifestyle, without conforming to an established social norm. During the course of the trial, society rejects Meursault’s lifestyle for its lack of sentimentality or ambition. But instead of changing his personality to fit the established norm, he ultimately decides that he lived happily, and would have changed nothing about his life.
To understand Meursault’s absurdist life, one must first understand Camus’s absurdist philosophy. Absurdism is a branch of existentialist philosophy that is centered around the concept of ‘the absurd.’ The absurd encompasses human being’s constant search for a rational meaning for existence, in a world without one. (Ervin 5, Aronson) Camus’s philosophy asserts that existence has no inherent meaning stemming from some source that transcends the universe, or that if there is a transcendent meaning, humans cannot hope to rationally understand it. (The Myth of Sisyphus 34) Because of this, there are no preordained standards or morals that one is required to adhere to. Rather, the individual determines these for himself/herself. Absurdists stress that even though life does not have a predetermined set of standards or goals, it is still worthy of living. Camus addresses this in his work The Myth of Sisyphus. He claims that through acceptance of the absurdity of life, without attempting to attach a false “transcendent” meaning to it, one can live happily and enjoy life for what it is. (Aronson)
Keeping this definition in mind, the reader’s perception of Meursault’s lifestyle shifts from one of a sociopath to one of somebody who simply does not conform to traditional social norms. Many view Meursault as a rude, emotionless, strange person. When compared to the standards of his society, he does in fact seem to be this way. However, from an absurdist standpoint, which removes these standards, Meursault is simply a person who expresses his emotion differently, and lives according to his own standards. For example, the prosecution claims that Meursault is unfeeling and disrespectful after his mother’s death. (The Stranger 137-140) At several points in the novel though, Meursault does indeed show that he is affected by the event. Upon arriving to the town in which the nursing home is located, he walks two kilometers to the nursing home because he “wanted to see Maman right away” (The Stranger 16). Similarly, Meursault seems uncomfortable with the idea of viewing Maman’s body, and refuses to do it. (The Stranger 20) While unusual, this is still an obvious expression of emotion. Meursault is nevertheless aware that he is not behaving as a normal person would. In regard to attendees of Maman’s vigil, he “had the… feeling that they were there to judge me” (The Stranger 25) Meursault understands that his actions are considered abnormal, yet he does not follow the norm anyway. He holds himself to his own standards. For example, in the room with Maman’s coffin, he hesitates before smoking, remarking “I didn’t know if I could do it with Maman right there… it didn't matter” (The Stranger 23). He recognizes that social rules dictated that he should not smoke next to his dead mother, but he does it anyway because by his own standards it is not a problem.
Robert Champigny recognizes these differing standards when he defines Meursault as a “pagan” who does not participate in a traditional, “Christian,” “romantic” lifestyle. (Champigny 25) Meursault is pagan in the sense that he does not live according to established Christian ideals. He lives “in pursuit of happiness” (Champigny 29). He does not attempt to match the Christian God’s standards. As a result, he is alienated from society. Surrounded by people who believe that morals stem from a transcendent source, Meursault finds himself alone in his absurdist lifestyle.
Although alone, Meursault is far from unhappy. At several points in the novel Meursault expresses his contentedness with his lifestyle. When his boss offers him a chance to move to Paris, Meursault remarks that “[he] wasn’t dissatisfied with [his] life here [in Algiers] at all” (The Stranger, 71). He does not want to move to Paris because he prefers his life in Algiers. To many, this might seem abnormal, but Meursault is simply acting according to his own wishes. His boss criticizes Meursault for his lack of ambition, but Meursault “doesn’t see any reason to change [his] life” (The Stranger 72). Ambition is another social construct that Meursault does not conform to. Because he is happy, Meursault has no will to change his life simply because social norms tell him to.
Until the murder trial, Meursault is content to live without too much judgement from those around him. But, when the trial is underway, he finds himself under intense scrutiny and judgment for his lifestyle. During the murder investigation, the prosecution focuses mainly on Meursault’s odd actions. For example, his defense lawyer finds it critical to have Meursault express some sort of sadness about his mother’s death. While Meursault does express that he’d “rather Maman hadn’t died,” the lawyer insists that it is “not enough” to convince a jury (The Stranger 102) The lawyer understands what Meursault does not: the jury’s judgment of him largely depends on their perception of him as a moral person, according to ‘normal’ standards.
Upon discovering that Meursault lives far from their normal standards, society rejects him vehemently. Robert Champigny remarks that “Meursault’s wrongdoing is not so much abhorring committed a crime as it is being, in the eyes of theatrical society… a ‘criminal of the soul’” (Champigny 15) Those around Meursault criticize him for being ‘a monster.’ When the magistrate learns that Meursault does not believe in God, he becomes angry. After failing to convince Meursault of the validity of religion, the magistrate cries “Do you want my life to be meaningless?” (The Stranger 108) This exchange directly reflects Camus’s absurdist philosophy, and its lack of trust in religion. Furthermore, it is an example of society’s rejection of this absurdist philosophy, in favor of clinging to the idea that existence is meaningful. This rejection of Meursault’s lifestyle leads society to reject Meursault himself, culminating in his execution.
Meursault is attacked for his lifestyle again and again during the course of his trial. He takes note, during the closing statements, that the prosecutor talks “more about [Meursault] then [Meursault’s] crime.” (The Stranger 148) He is judged harshly for his association with Raymond, an unsightly character. (The Stranger 147) Meursault is seen as heartless for his time spent with Marie, his girlfriend, after his mother’s death. (The Stranger 144) Society is unable to understand why Meursault seems unaffected by Raymond’s unjust actions or Maman’s death. Instead of focusing on his guilt or innocence, they examine his overall character. As Mel Ervin remarks, “None of these issues surface during the trial… they fixate on whether or not Meursault loved his mother” (Ervin 34). Meursault is made an outsider not for his murderous actions, but for his personality. This estrangement causes Meursault to grow frustrated with his entire situation.
Meursault’s frustration grows as the trial continues. When the lawyers make their case summaries, Meursault angrily thinks of interrupting and defending for himself, as he feels he is being ignored. (The Stranger 151) Meursault is angry because his society is examining him and alienating him, and yet he does not get a chance to defend himself. This frustration reaches its tipping point in Meursault’s encounter with the prison chaplain. The prison chaplain represents the standard morals of society. As the chaplain pressures Meursault to accept his religious dogma, Meursault grows more and more anxious. Meursault is told that he is “carrying a burden of sin from which [he] had to free [himself]” (The Stranger 178). Meursault feels that chaplain is “grating and oppressive” (The Stranger 181). Finally, the frustration reaches a tipping point, and Meursault physically and verbally attacks the chaplain.
At this point, it may seem as if Meursault’s outburst is a symptom of his acceptance of society’s morals. After realizing that his whole life was lived incorrectly, anger, frustration, and guilt is a natural reaction to correction. However, a close look at Meursault’s outburst shows that his anger is not directed toward his own life, but rather to the life that society is trying to impress upon him. He screams at the chaplain that despite his religious certainty about everything, “none of his certainties was worth one hair on a woman’s head” (The Stranger 182). Meursault remarks that “[he] had lived [his] life one way and I could just as well have lived it another” (The Stranger 182) Both of these assertions are echoed in Camus’s absurdist philosophy, which is more directly referenced later in Meursault’s outburst, when he cries “Throughout the whole absurd life I’d lived… what did other people’s death or a mother’s love matter to me?” (The Stranger 183, italics added) Meursault attacks the chaplain’s philosophy, and does not accept it. Robert Champigny recognizes that Meursault would have to change his entire life’s philosophy “in order to avoid being cast out.” (Champigny 16). Meursault refuses deny his entire lifestyle.
When the chaplain finally leaves, Meursault is left on his own to muse about his life during his final hours. He notes that he feels “washed clean” and “rid of hope” and finds comfort in that, which may seem odd without the context of absurdism, which asserts that to be happy one must be rid of false hope. (The Stranger 185, Aronson) Meursault decides that he “had been happy, and… was happy again” (The Stranger 185). He lived his life the way that made him happy, despite the fact that society estranged him for it. He even seems to enjoy this estrangement, stating that he “had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of [his] execution and that they greet [him] with cries of hate” (The Stranger 185). In the end, Meursault was happy living the life that Camus promoted.
Although to many his life may seem unusual, Meursault simply lives as he wants to. The fact that he was able to find peace in the face of his death validates his lifestyle. Even though Meursault’s society alienates and attacks him, Meursault remains true to his convictions. Because he refuses to conform to a set of ideals that he sees as arbitrary, Meursault dies. This point of view reveals to the reader that Meursault is not a heartless, sociopathic stranger. Rather, he is a martyr for his acceptance of life’s absurdity.
Works Cited
Aronson, Ronald, "Albert Camus", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2012/entries/camus/>.
Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus, and Other Essays. Trans. Justin O’Brien. New York: Vintage, 1955. Web. URL = < http://iheartlahs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Camus-Myth-of-Sisyphus-and-other-readings.pdf>.
Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Trans. Matthew Ward. New York: Random House, 1988. Print.
Champigny, Robert. A Pagan Hero: A Interpretation of Meursault in Camus' The Stranger. Translated by Rowe Portis. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1969. Print.
Ervin, Mel. "Toward a Humane Existentialism: Personal Meaning in Camus' Early Fiction." Thesis. Lamar University, 2009. Print.
To understand Meursault’s absurdist life, one must first understand Camus’s absurdist philosophy. Absurdism is a branch of existentialist philosophy that is centered around the concept of ‘the absurd.’ The absurd encompasses human being’s constant search for a rational meaning for existence, in a world without one. (Ervin 5, Aronson) Camus’s philosophy asserts that existence has no inherent meaning stemming from some source that transcends the universe, or that if there is a transcendent meaning, humans cannot hope to rationally understand it. (The Myth of Sisyphus 34) Because of this, there are no preordained standards or morals that one is required to adhere to. Rather, the individual determines these for himself/herself. Absurdists stress that even though life does not have a predetermined set of standards or goals, it is still worthy of living. Camus addresses this in his work The Myth of Sisyphus. He claims that through acceptance of the absurdity of life, without attempting to attach a false “transcendent” meaning to it, one can live happily and enjoy life for what it is. (Aronson)
Keeping this definition in mind, the reader’s perception of Meursault’s lifestyle shifts from one of a sociopath to one of somebody who simply does not conform to traditional social norms. Many view Meursault as a rude, emotionless, strange person. When compared to the standards of his society, he does in fact seem to be this way. However, from an absurdist standpoint, which removes these standards, Meursault is simply a person who expresses his emotion differently, and lives according to his own standards. For example, the prosecution claims that Meursault is unfeeling and disrespectful after his mother’s death. (The Stranger 137-140) At several points in the novel though, Meursault does indeed show that he is affected by the event. Upon arriving to the town in which the nursing home is located, he walks two kilometers to the nursing home because he “wanted to see Maman right away” (The Stranger 16). Similarly, Meursault seems uncomfortable with the idea of viewing Maman’s body, and refuses to do it. (The Stranger 20) While unusual, this is still an obvious expression of emotion. Meursault is nevertheless aware that he is not behaving as a normal person would. In regard to attendees of Maman’s vigil, he “had the… feeling that they were there to judge me” (The Stranger 25) Meursault understands that his actions are considered abnormal, yet he does not follow the norm anyway. He holds himself to his own standards. For example, in the room with Maman’s coffin, he hesitates before smoking, remarking “I didn’t know if I could do it with Maman right there… it didn't matter” (The Stranger 23). He recognizes that social rules dictated that he should not smoke next to his dead mother, but he does it anyway because by his own standards it is not a problem.
Robert Champigny recognizes these differing standards when he defines Meursault as a “pagan” who does not participate in a traditional, “Christian,” “romantic” lifestyle. (Champigny 25) Meursault is pagan in the sense that he does not live according to established Christian ideals. He lives “in pursuit of happiness” (Champigny 29). He does not attempt to match the Christian God’s standards. As a result, he is alienated from society. Surrounded by people who believe that morals stem from a transcendent source, Meursault finds himself alone in his absurdist lifestyle.
Although alone, Meursault is far from unhappy. At several points in the novel Meursault expresses his contentedness with his lifestyle. When his boss offers him a chance to move to Paris, Meursault remarks that “[he] wasn’t dissatisfied with [his] life here [in Algiers] at all” (The Stranger, 71). He does not want to move to Paris because he prefers his life in Algiers. To many, this might seem abnormal, but Meursault is simply acting according to his own wishes. His boss criticizes Meursault for his lack of ambition, but Meursault “doesn’t see any reason to change [his] life” (The Stranger 72). Ambition is another social construct that Meursault does not conform to. Because he is happy, Meursault has no will to change his life simply because social norms tell him to.
Until the murder trial, Meursault is content to live without too much judgement from those around him. But, when the trial is underway, he finds himself under intense scrutiny and judgment for his lifestyle. During the murder investigation, the prosecution focuses mainly on Meursault’s odd actions. For example, his defense lawyer finds it critical to have Meursault express some sort of sadness about his mother’s death. While Meursault does express that he’d “rather Maman hadn’t died,” the lawyer insists that it is “not enough” to convince a jury (The Stranger 102) The lawyer understands what Meursault does not: the jury’s judgment of him largely depends on their perception of him as a moral person, according to ‘normal’ standards.
Upon discovering that Meursault lives far from their normal standards, society rejects him vehemently. Robert Champigny remarks that “Meursault’s wrongdoing is not so much abhorring committed a crime as it is being, in the eyes of theatrical society… a ‘criminal of the soul’” (Champigny 15) Those around Meursault criticize him for being ‘a monster.’ When the magistrate learns that Meursault does not believe in God, he becomes angry. After failing to convince Meursault of the validity of religion, the magistrate cries “Do you want my life to be meaningless?” (The Stranger 108) This exchange directly reflects Camus’s absurdist philosophy, and its lack of trust in religion. Furthermore, it is an example of society’s rejection of this absurdist philosophy, in favor of clinging to the idea that existence is meaningful. This rejection of Meursault’s lifestyle leads society to reject Meursault himself, culminating in his execution.
Meursault is attacked for his lifestyle again and again during the course of his trial. He takes note, during the closing statements, that the prosecutor talks “more about [Meursault] then [Meursault’s] crime.” (The Stranger 148) He is judged harshly for his association with Raymond, an unsightly character. (The Stranger 147) Meursault is seen as heartless for his time spent with Marie, his girlfriend, after his mother’s death. (The Stranger 144) Society is unable to understand why Meursault seems unaffected by Raymond’s unjust actions or Maman’s death. Instead of focusing on his guilt or innocence, they examine his overall character. As Mel Ervin remarks, “None of these issues surface during the trial… they fixate on whether or not Meursault loved his mother” (Ervin 34). Meursault is made an outsider not for his murderous actions, but for his personality. This estrangement causes Meursault to grow frustrated with his entire situation.
Meursault’s frustration grows as the trial continues. When the lawyers make their case summaries, Meursault angrily thinks of interrupting and defending for himself, as he feels he is being ignored. (The Stranger 151) Meursault is angry because his society is examining him and alienating him, and yet he does not get a chance to defend himself. This frustration reaches its tipping point in Meursault’s encounter with the prison chaplain. The prison chaplain represents the standard morals of society. As the chaplain pressures Meursault to accept his religious dogma, Meursault grows more and more anxious. Meursault is told that he is “carrying a burden of sin from which [he] had to free [himself]” (The Stranger 178). Meursault feels that chaplain is “grating and oppressive” (The Stranger 181). Finally, the frustration reaches a tipping point, and Meursault physically and verbally attacks the chaplain.
At this point, it may seem as if Meursault’s outburst is a symptom of his acceptance of society’s morals. After realizing that his whole life was lived incorrectly, anger, frustration, and guilt is a natural reaction to correction. However, a close look at Meursault’s outburst shows that his anger is not directed toward his own life, but rather to the life that society is trying to impress upon him. He screams at the chaplain that despite his religious certainty about everything, “none of his certainties was worth one hair on a woman’s head” (The Stranger 182). Meursault remarks that “[he] had lived [his] life one way and I could just as well have lived it another” (The Stranger 182) Both of these assertions are echoed in Camus’s absurdist philosophy, which is more directly referenced later in Meursault’s outburst, when he cries “Throughout the whole absurd life I’d lived… what did other people’s death or a mother’s love matter to me?” (The Stranger 183, italics added) Meursault attacks the chaplain’s philosophy, and does not accept it. Robert Champigny recognizes that Meursault would have to change his entire life’s philosophy “in order to avoid being cast out.” (Champigny 16). Meursault refuses deny his entire lifestyle.
When the chaplain finally leaves, Meursault is left on his own to muse about his life during his final hours. He notes that he feels “washed clean” and “rid of hope” and finds comfort in that, which may seem odd without the context of absurdism, which asserts that to be happy one must be rid of false hope. (The Stranger 185, Aronson) Meursault decides that he “had been happy, and… was happy again” (The Stranger 185). He lived his life the way that made him happy, despite the fact that society estranged him for it. He even seems to enjoy this estrangement, stating that he “had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of [his] execution and that they greet [him] with cries of hate” (The Stranger 185). In the end, Meursault was happy living the life that Camus promoted.
Although to many his life may seem unusual, Meursault simply lives as he wants to. The fact that he was able to find peace in the face of his death validates his lifestyle. Even though Meursault’s society alienates and attacks him, Meursault remains true to his convictions. Because he refuses to conform to a set of ideals that he sees as arbitrary, Meursault dies. This point of view reveals to the reader that Meursault is not a heartless, sociopathic stranger. Rather, he is a martyr for his acceptance of life’s absurdity.
Works Cited
Aronson, Ronald, "Albert Camus", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2012/entries/camus/>.
Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus, and Other Essays. Trans. Justin O’Brien. New York: Vintage, 1955. Web. URL = < http://iheartlahs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Camus-Myth-of-Sisyphus-and-other-readings.pdf>.
Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Trans. Matthew Ward. New York: Random House, 1988. Print.
Champigny, Robert. A Pagan Hero: A Interpretation of Meursault in Camus' The Stranger. Translated by Rowe Portis. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1969. Print.
Ervin, Mel. "Toward a Humane Existentialism: Personal Meaning in Camus' Early Fiction." Thesis. Lamar University, 2009. Print.