Absurdity in The Stranger essays

Absurdity in The Stranger essays The Stranger contains a strong notion of absurdity; the useless attempt humanity makes to find rational order where none exists. Philip H. Rhein believes that Camus asserts that individual lives and human existence in general have no rational meaning or order. Though Camus does not openly refer to the notion of absurdity in The Stranger, events that occur in the novel are perfect examples that life is absurd: the story of the Czechoslovakian man, Salamano, and the trial of Meursault. While in jail, Meursault thinks about the story of a young Czechoslovakian man who left his village, made a fortune, and returned to his village in disguise to see his mother and sister. He planned to reveal his identity after showing off his wealth. Unfortunately, his mother and sister killed and robbed him before he could reveal himself. Rhein believes that the absurdity of life is emphasized by the story of the Czech...although Meursault finds the story unbelievable from his point of view. There is no reason for the son to have died. His ironic fate does not comply with any logical or ordered system governing human existence; his death is a meaningless tragedy that defies rationalization or justification. Salamano, Meursaults neighbor, has a dog that he beats and swears at. One evening his dog runs away and Raymond and Meursault find Salamano searching for it. That night, Meursault hears Salamano crying in his room. Later, Salamano talks with Meursault and states that he is sure that Meursault loved his mother, despite the fact that Meursault offers no evidence to support this. Some view this as Salamano himself supplying the rational order that he desires to find in the world. The way Salamano turns the conversation suggests that Salamano uses the discussion to displace his own guilt. Salamano assumes that Meursault really loved his mother despite sending her away, just as he loved his dog even though he be...