The Stranger is a novel by French author, Albert Camus. It was published in 1942 and has since become one of the most influential philosophical works of the 20th century. The novel tells the story of Meursault, a French Algerian who doesn’t conform to society’s expectations of emotional expression and struggles to find meaning in life.

The novel begins with Meursault receiving news of his mother’s death. Rather than exhibiting the expected emotions of sadness and grief, Meursault appears indifferent, which earns him criticism from others. He takes care of the necessary funeral arrangements without displaying any emotions towards his mother’s death. Meursault’s detachment from his mother’s death marks the beginning of his journey into nihilism, a philosophy that asserts that life has no inherent meaning or purpose.

Later, Meursault gets involved in a dispute with his neighbor, Raymond, leading to both of them going to the beach. At the beach, Meursault kills an Arab for no apparent reason, which makes it clear to the reader that Meursault is indifferent to human life. He is then arrested, and during the trial, his lack of remorse towards the killing and the indifference he shows towards societal norms become evident. The prosecutor, the judge, and other characters accuse Meursault of being a monster and describe him as an immoral person. This prompts Meursault to examine his life and beliefs and to come to the realization that his existence, and that of human beings, have no inherent meaning.

Throughout his incarceration, Meursault perseveres in his belief that life is without meaning. When he is sentenced to death, he accepts his fate with an almost dispassionate calmness, even though he knows that death awaits him. As he reflects on his life, Meursault comes to understand that the world’s indifference is the only real truth. In his final moments, he understands that life is just a series of momentary events, without emotions or reason.

The Stranger can be seen as an existentialist novel that explores the concept of the absurd, as opposed to nihilism. Existentialism argues that individuals create their own meaning in their lives and are responsible for their actions, while nihilism denies the existence of meaning or purpose in life. In The Stranger, Camus explores these two philosophical concepts through the character of Meursault, who embodies the idea that everyone is fundamentally alone in a meaningless and indifferent world.

In conclusion, The Stranger is a deeply philosophical and thought-provoking novel that explores the themes of existentialism, absurdism, and nihilism. Through Meursault, Camus presents an unconventional hero who rejects societal norms and refuses to find meaning in a meaningless world. While the novel’s nihilistic themes may be unsettling to some readers, the novel’s message provides a sense of solace that allows the reader to question their own existence and reexamine their values. In Meursault’s acceptance of his own death, Camus suggests that embracing the absurdity of life can lead to a kind of peace, which provides a more authentic understanding of the human condition. Hence, The Stranger remains a timeless novel whose themes continue to speak to readers today.

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