Absurdism In The Stranger
- Crime Fiction- Tom Stoppard Essay - use of universal symbols allows for recognition, and adds to the parody. Tom Stoppard uses these...
Submitted by civilleader on 06/30/2008 05:21 PM
- Category: Biographies
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Absurdism In The Stranger
The theme of the novel the Stranger is that life is a catastrophe when containing an absurd existence, and that all of mankind has a kind of "absurd" existence. Absurd means here the aimless, or vain existence. The novel's mood itself is a dark, and absurd style. The absurd life of Mersault, his Absurd relationship with Marie, and his relationship with Raymond, and questioning of god can all reveal the novel's absurd existence.
The first evidence of absurdity can be revealed through the absurd life of Mersault's life. He was an ordinary man and has a detachment from anything, including money illustrated by his rejection of a prestigious position at Paris. Mersault is a very private man, which reveals that his lifestyle and little interaction with others is of the absurd type. Mersault fails to accept the changes that go around him resulting in the absurd view of his surroundings. Mersault can illustrate the Absurd view of life because he fails to regret his murder of the Arab, and his lack of sadness at his mother's funeral. Not only are the lives of others absurd for Mersault, but also in addition, he views his own life as absurd. He shows no regrets or no sympathy when he is sentenced to execution. He illustrates that his life is merely an absurd one once again, with a disregard for human life. In the book Mersault quotes that he sent his mother to an old age home without regret, because all old people have to die.
The relation of Mersault to Raymond can also be viewed and analyzed in an absurd fashion. The essence of Raymond's friendship with Mersault is to simply make Mersault accomplish certain deeds to save Raymond from anything discreditable. Raymond being a pimp has an absurd view of the opposite sex, naturally. He believes that he can simply treat women as property, as if they lack an essence. The use of Mersault in the murder of an Arab also proves the point that Raymond has no regard for the existence of Mersault, in eventually...
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