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Analysis of Meursault - Term Papers

Analysis of Meursault

Essay 1, Prompt 2

By Justin Williams (1A)

Albert Camus in his novel, The Stranger, presents a truly intriguing character. Meursault, the protagonist, in the beginning seems completely immoral and unfeeling. However, Camus, over the course of the story develops a much more appealing character. In the end, the full presentation of Meursault leaves the reader much more sympathetic to him.
Meursault's list of faults as exposed at his trial are quite extensive. Meursault does not grieve at his mother's funeral. He does not cry nor does he keep vigil. In fact when he gets home, he states, "It occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over that Maman was buried now, that I was going ...

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When Meursault goes to dinner at his house, Raymond explains that he beats her because he believes her to be cheating on him. Meursault agrees that the beatings are justified and later testifies for Raymond saying, "I understood his wanting to punish her (p. 32)." The final, most obvious crime is the shooting of the Arab on the beach. Even after, he explains to the Judge that he remains unregretful of his crime (p. 71).
After the trial closes, one is left with the impression that Meursault is a heartless, immoral man. But everything changes when he is sentenced to death (p. 107). Even based on what the reader knows of Meursault, it is hard not to feel sympathetic for someone who faces imminent, unavoidable death.
And as Camus further develops Meursault, the reader becomes inclined to sympathize with him. Meursault seems unable to distinguish between right and wrong. He does not mourn over his dead mother simply because there was no need to and it would be more uncomfortable if he ...

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Analysis of Meursault. (2012, October 15). Retrieved April 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Analysis-of-Meursault/101665

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 10/15/2012 09:33:01 AM
Submitted By: husty
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 575
Pages: 3

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