The Stranger by Albert Camus: A Tale of Absurdity and Meaninglessness

🌀The protagonist, So, embodies the philosophy of absurdism, which emphasizes the lack of inherent meaning in life.

🌊So's detachment from societal norms and emotions contributes to the theme of isolation and alienation.

🔎The novel explores the tension between individual freedom and societal expectations, highlighting the conflict between personal desires and moral responsibilities.

🔪The murder committed by So serves as a metaphor for the ultimate expression of freedom in the face of the absurd.

⚖️The trial and So's subsequent condemnation highlight the absurdity of societal justice systems and the inevitability of mortality.

What is the main theme of The Stranger?

—The main theme of The Stranger is the absurdity and meaninglessness of life, as portrayed through the experiences of the protagonist, So.

How does So's detachment contribute to the story?

—So's detachment from societal norms and emotions emphasizes the theme of isolation and alienation, reinforcing the sense of absurdity in the story.

What is the significance of So's murder?

—So's murder serves as a metaphor for the ultimate expression of freedom in the face of the absurd, highlighting the protagonist's rejection of societal norms.

What does the trial reveal about societal justice?

—The trial in The Stranger highlights the absurdity of societal justice systems, as So's condemnation is based more on his character than the actual crime he committed.

What is the philosophical aspect of The Stranger?

—The Stranger explores existentialist and absurdist philosophies, questioning the meaning of life and the human condition.

00:08The novel is set in French-colonized Algeria and follows the protagonist, So.

01:24So attends his mother's funeral but refuses to see her body.

01:45So begins a sexual relationship with a woman named Marie.

01:56So gets involved in a violent altercation with an Arab man.

02:18So commits murder and is arrested.