Existentialism in "The Stranger" by Term Paper

1998). This is the context that favors ultimate questions by the very nature of our lives. Meaning can be constructed by making a choice in such absurd situation. Meursault's act of murder can be interpreted as an act of courage, a provocation he addressed to death and to uncertainty. Furthermore, extreme situations make hiding impossible and are considered a way of clarifying motives and drives. The existentialist theme of anxiety regarding life, death, contingencies, and extreme situations is obvious in this context and is related to the theme of absurd. For instance, Meursault, while imprisoned, in his cell he realized that he does not an appropriate way of escaping, also because he was never interested in ways of escaping before. However, it should be noticed that Camus' particular form of existentialism is also characterized by observation, detachment and a certain irony towards existence.Moreover, he does not seem to be concerned about penalty, about a punishment for his act. And that is because the search for meaning of his existence has an inherent morality. It seems that it is moral to find a sense of existence and the means are meant only to support this purpose. This is also the case of Meursault. His observing, and detachment ability are very strong, he is always looking beyond reality. For instance, I noticed in the novel a heightened perception for things appealing to senses: Meursault is the receptacle of all the moves, smells, shades of the world. This also supports in a certain way another existentialist dimension: individualism, as Meursault is the atypical human inside his society, and he seems to notice all the.....