French Algerian History
By Raina Jose
Albert Camus’ The Stranger was written in 1942 in Algeria, at a time when it was entirely colonized by the French. In order to understand how the story in The Stranger develops, it is important to know the history of Algeria, or French Algeria as it was called, during the time of the book’s publication.
The French invasion of Algeria took place in 1830 and led to French colonization which lasted until 1962. At the time of invasion, Algeria was loosely under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Many of the population had broken off into privateering European ships, leading to many conflicts with other countries. When France attempted to make a deal with Algerian merchants, the ruler of the Ottoman Empire insulted French officials, setting off a retaliation from their part. The French invaded and captured the city of Algiers and slowly made their way through the rest of Algeria. Once they held control, many people came to French Algeria from Europe to colonize the area, disregarding the native Arabs and Berbers.
Natives of Algeria were discriminated against during French colonial occupation. The French thought of themselves as superior to the natives, and treated them as such. In any interaction between a European and native, the European was given the upper hand. This was even seen in the enforcing of laws. Natives were judged unfairly in cases, sometimes even forced to shed their beliefs in Islam for Christianity. Native Arabs, especially, were treated poorly by Europeans, mocked and laughed at for their “inferiority”. A social distance was maintained between Europeans and natives through segregation, practiced by ridiculing the natives and their culture. (Sivan 163-164)
Camus’ life in French Algeria and various circumstances in his life paved the way for his avid political involvement. His placement of Meursault in the same society as him gives readers an opportunity to have some minor insight into how and what Camus felt towards the state of French Algeria. When knowing the history of French Algeria and the society that was in place at the time of The Stranger’s publication, Meursault’s actions and various events in the book can be made sense of.
Works Cited
Andrews, William G. French Politics and Algeria; the Process of Policy Formation, 1954-1962. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1962. Print.
Sivan, Emmanuel. "Colonialism and Popular Culture." Interpretations of Islam. Princeton, N.J.: The Darwin Press Inc., 1985. Print.
Smith, Tony. The French Stake in Algeria, 1945-1962. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell UP, 1978. Print.
The French invasion of Algeria took place in 1830 and led to French colonization which lasted until 1962. At the time of invasion, Algeria was loosely under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Many of the population had broken off into privateering European ships, leading to many conflicts with other countries. When France attempted to make a deal with Algerian merchants, the ruler of the Ottoman Empire insulted French officials, setting off a retaliation from their part. The French invaded and captured the city of Algiers and slowly made their way through the rest of Algeria. Once they held control, many people came to French Algeria from Europe to colonize the area, disregarding the native Arabs and Berbers.
Natives of Algeria were discriminated against during French colonial occupation. The French thought of themselves as superior to the natives, and treated them as such. In any interaction between a European and native, the European was given the upper hand. This was even seen in the enforcing of laws. Natives were judged unfairly in cases, sometimes even forced to shed their beliefs in Islam for Christianity. Native Arabs, especially, were treated poorly by Europeans, mocked and laughed at for their “inferiority”. A social distance was maintained between Europeans and natives through segregation, practiced by ridiculing the natives and their culture. (Sivan 163-164)
Camus’ life in French Algeria and various circumstances in his life paved the way for his avid political involvement. His placement of Meursault in the same society as him gives readers an opportunity to have some minor insight into how and what Camus felt towards the state of French Algeria. When knowing the history of French Algeria and the society that was in place at the time of The Stranger’s publication, Meursault’s actions and various events in the book can be made sense of.
Works Cited
Andrews, William G. French Politics and Algeria; the Process of Policy Formation, 1954-1962. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1962. Print.
Sivan, Emmanuel. "Colonialism and Popular Culture." Interpretations of Islam. Princeton, N.J.: The Darwin Press Inc., 1985. Print.
Smith, Tony. The French Stake in Algeria, 1945-1962. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell UP, 1978. Print.