Journal #8

I enjoy the Stranger in a deeper way now after gaining insight into its authors views and beliefs.

I think that in order for this book to be appreciated, one must look farther in and analyze the text so as to uncover the authors intentions.

Albert Camus uses the symbol of Salamano's dog in order to portray Mersaults relationship with society, and to foreshadow the eventual death of Mersault. This is demonstrated through the dog's relationship with it's owner.

Journal #7

Thesis-Topic-Quotes

Topic: Salamano's dog,

Mersaults relationship with society,

Foreshadowing.

Quotes: 

1) "

2)"

3)"

4)"

5)"

Journal #6

5 significant literary questions: THESTRANGER

1)Does Camus start the novel off with Maman's death so that we gain perspective on who Mersault is? What view of Mersault is he trying to project?

2)Why does Camus separate the book right after Mersault shots the Arabian? Is the separation supposed to symbolize a change or growth in Mersaults character?

3)Why does Camus use long sentences with pauses in the second half, instead of the abrupt ones he used in part 1? Does this reflect a change in Mersault?

4)Why did Mersault search for Marie's face among the stones of his prison wall? Why does he reference the sun in connection to her?

5)Why does Camus assign the same level of importance to everyone in Mersaults outburst to the priest? What is Camus trying to convey to his audience? Is it a reflection of Camus' personal beliefs?

COMMENTS

1)Why does Camus only refer to Saturday and Sunday and not the week days? (Bankston, 1)

Perhaps to show Mersaults indifference towards weekdays, and represent his lack of societal conformity. 

2)How does Mersault's personality and world view change thoughout the book? Why do you think Camus wrote it this way? (Taylor, 3)

I believe Camus wrote the book with a change in Mersaults personality throughout parts one and two in order to express his belief that human behaviour is affected by traumatizing events.

3) If we have to look somewhere other existentialism or absurdism, how else can Meursaults indulgent and seemingly pointless lifestyle be interpreted? (Nguyen, 3)

I think his lifestyle can be interpreted as a representation of Camus' beliefs. In order for this to be true, we must conclude that Camus believes in merely physical motivations in life.

4) Why is color the main source of describing people and scenery? (Loehmann, 2)

Camus uses color to describe setting and characters in the book in order to convey the emotional intensity of said scene.

5) Is there any significance when Camus repeats Mersault's feelings of specifically, "wanting" Maria? Why does Camus not mix up the words? (Andrew, 3)

Camus does so in order to show Mersaults indifference towards emotional responses and his ulterior physical motivations.

Journal #5

Division of THE.STRANGER: Part1/Part2

In my opnion, Camus divides the Stranger in half in order to display Mersaults life before and after he murdered the Arab. He does so by varying literary techniques, changing Mersaults attitude, and diction.
A few parallels include:

• Part 1 begins with Maman, whereas Part 2 begins with Mersaults account of his arrest, and a few pages in, Camus introduces Maman again. This goes to show the importance of Mersaults mother.
• His father isn't mentioned in either part.
• Descriptive language remains the same, but contrary to Part 1, Mersault describes characters more instead of setting.
• In both parts Mersault holds true to his atheism, yet in the second part he becomes aware of the meaninglessness of his life, as he approaches death.
  

Journal #4

6 Questions

1)Are Camus' views on religion reflected in Mersaults personal beliefs?

2)Why does Camus give such importance to the sun in Camus' opinion?

3)Why doesn't Mersault's character show any display of jealousy when observing Raymond flirting with Marie?

4)Why does Mersault regard the sun positively when he is with Masson, since it normally agitates him?

5)Why does Camus have Mersault refer to himself all the time? (We; I.)

6)Why does Camus use the words 'Blazing' and 'Red' to describe the sand when they are close to the Arabs? Is this foreshadowing to the Arabs death?

Journal #3

Profundism

• People act for a higher reason.
• Action have causes, usually linked to selfish actions.
• A seemingly unselfish act is usually to make one feel better about themselves.
• Life is predestined, no event occurs by chance.
• Similar to Deism, Life occurs like clockwork.
• There is no presiding omnicsient power who plays a hand in events.
• Meanings behind actions are profound, a simple meaning is simply masking another one.
• These intentions may reside in the subconscious. 
• People are naturally and instinctually good beings.

Journal #2

Translation&Title

In my opinion, Matthew Ward's translation holds the most literary value. This is because he sticks more closely to the text than other authors, and does not use American sayings for certain things. He translates things literally, word for word. This allows for the theme to be conveyed in a better way.

The title The Stranger, is appropriate for the book. I would not change it. It suits Mersault's character, and it suits the way Camus describes the setting and characterizes the various characters.