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The Stranger from 1942 by Albert Camus
A haunting novel from 1942 that makes the reader reflect on their life
The Stranger is a novel written by French philosopher Albert Camus and published in 1942. The story is told from the perspective of Meursault, a French Algerian who is emotionally detached and indifferent to the events that occur around him.
The novel begins with Meursault receiving a telegram informing him of his mother's death, but he does not feel any emotional attachment to her and does not attend her funeral. He shows little grief or emotion at the news of his mother's death, which is indicative of his detached nature.
Instead, he goes to the beach and smokes cigarettes, which is where he meets Marie, a young woman with whom he begins a relationship. He spends his time going to the beach and attending parties with Marie and his friends.
One day, Meursault and his friend, Raymond, get into a fight with some Arab men, and Meursault ends up killing one of them. He is arrested and charged with murder. Throughout the trial, Meursault is detached and unemotional, which leads the court and society to view him as a sociopath. He is found guilty and sentenced to death.
In prison, Meursault begins to reflect on his life and the meaning of existence. He realizes that he has always been indifferent to the world around him and that his detachment is what led to his current situation. He becomes aware of the absurdity of his existence and the futility of his actions. He comes to accept his fate and looks forward to his execution, as it is the only thing that makes sense to him.
The novel is a commentary on the human condition and how we all deal with the absurdities of life. Camus uses Meursault as a symbol of the human tendency to be detached and indifferent to the world around us. The book also explores themes of existentialism, the meaning of life, and the nature of morality.
The Stranger is a powerful exploration of the human condition and how we all deal with the absurdity of life. It is a novel that delves into the psyche of the protagonist Meursault and his journey of self-discovery as he reflects on his life, death, and the meaning of existence. It is a novel that leaves the reader with much to ponder and question about their existence and the world around them.
Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a French philosopher, author, and journalist. He was born in Algeria and his upbringing in a working-class family and his experiences in World War II greatly influenced his ideas and writing.
Camus began his career as a journalist, writing for various newspapers and magazines in France. He eventually became a leading intellectual in the French Resistance during World War II, and his writing during this time reflected his political and social views.
In 1942, Camus published his first novel, The Stranger, which is considered one of his most famous works. It is a novel that delves into the psyche of the protagonist, Meursault, and his journey of self-discovery as he reflects on his life, death, and the meaning of existence. The Stranger is a powerful exploration of the human condition and how we all deal with the absurdities of life.
In 1944, Camus published "The Myth of Sisyphus," which is a philosophical essay that explores the idea of the absurd and the human search for meaning. In this essay, Camus argues that human life is ultimately meaningless and that we must accept this fact to find a sense of freedom and happiness.
Camus continued to write novels, plays, and essays throughout his career. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 for his contributions to literature and his philosophy of the absurd.
However, Camus' ideas and writing were not without controversy. He was critical of the Soviet Union and the idea of totalitarianism, which led to his ideas being rejected by some on the political left.
Despite this, Camus' ideas and writing continue to be widely read and studied today. He remains one of the most influential figures in the field of existentialism and his ideas continue to resonate with readers around the world.
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