The Outsider

A detailed Summary of The Outsider


The Outsider by Albert Camus, the audience can identify and sympathise with Meursault because his character is portrayed with honesty and without judgement, somebody who doesn't conform to societies conventions and is seen as an outcast. Ironically it is this naivety that leads to his ultimate demise.

Meursault tells his story with absolute honesty, he accepts without judgement and conforms to conventional behaviours that operate in society which is why he is seen as an outcast. An example of this is after he is arrested and interviewed by the magistrate, he asks Meursault if he believes in god, Mersault is honest and innocently replies no. Although being completely honest he is at the same time defying conventional behaviour.

I see him as a man lacking will and self-determination as demonstrated when asked by his boss if he would take a promotion in Paris, he replies he isn't fussed on the idea


When asked if he regrets his crime he replies that he feels more annoyance about it, rather that true regret. It is this shade of difference, which condemns him. He believes you do everything for a reason so he couldn't really regret anything. I do not see Mersault as a hero but as a protagonist that has a combination of positive and negative qualities.

This brings me to my conclusion of why the audience can identify and sympathise with the character of Mersault through admiring his openness and honesty, his non-judgemental attitude and individuality in being his own person even if he doesn't conform to the conventions and behaviour in society.

The other characters in the Outsider are used to contrast his differences from society Marie obviously defines love by marriage, which is a huge contrast to Mersaults attitudes towards love. Marie represents conventional views as when asked by her if he love

Some common words found in the essay are:
Albert Camus, audience identify sympathise, doesn't conform, seen outcast, audience identify, identify sympathise,

Approximate Word count = 610
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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