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.