The Outsider

A detailed Summary of The Outsider

Essay Topic: "The Outsider is not about the murder of an Arab but about the inability of society to understand Meursault's detachment"

In "The Outsider" by "Albert Camus", Meursault is ultimately punished not for the murder of an Arab but lack of adherence to the social codes governing appropriate behavior often his mother's death. In This respect we can argue that the novel is not about the Arab's murder but it is about the inability society to understand Meursault indifference. The murder trial turns into a trial that judged and condemns Meursault because he displays attitudes and behavior that are considered socially unacceptable.

Meursault rarely shows any feeling when in situations, which would, for most people, evoke strong emotions. Throughout the vigil, watching over his mother's distressed dead body, at her funeral, he didn't cry or show any emotions. He is, further then enjoying a cup of coffee with milk during the vigil, and having a smoke with a caretaker at the nursing home in which his mother died at. The following day, after his mother's funeral, he goes to the beach and meets a former colleague named Marie Cardona and has a pleasant time as if nothing has happen, No feelings or emotions were even demonstrated

However, we must separate ourselves from what American society has taught us and focus only on what Camus tries to teach us about society. The society is about getting to the contents of Meursault's indifference not because it will help to better explain his actions or murder, but because when one defies the rules of society he has to pay. The trial is not a murder trial. It is a trial of morals and emotion. Why else would the prosecutor focus so much on the death of Meursault's mother? Why else would the later part of the book turn into evaluation of Meursault? During the preparation for the Meursault has to explain his feelings and not his actions to the court, something that is rarely seen by Meursault. A Question that came to mind is why is Meursault explaining his feelings he should be explaining his actions. Thus, there is only one conclusion to this that the murder trial is not about the killing or murder of the Arabs but focus on his personal life or his indifference.

at this tragic stage. They swim, go to a Movie, and then spend the night together. As their relationship progresses, Marie asks Meursault if he wants to marry her. He responds and says that it doesn't matter to him, and if she wants to get married, he would agree. Meursult response to his girlfriend seems indifferent. A person that doesn't love her can only make a response of such cruelty. She then asks him if he loves her. To that question he responds that he probably doesn't, and explains that marriage really isn't such a serious thing and doesn't require love. This reaction is typical of Meursault as portrayed in the book. He appears to be casual and indifferent about life events. Nothing seems to be very significant to him. The negative aspect of Meursult is that he speaks what's on his mind and is very honest and Settle. Knowing all this invaluable information we can than question Meursult reaction to certain things. A death and funeral of your mother would normally trigg

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Approximate Word count = 1324
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels