Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism June 17, 2020 by Essay Writer Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of oneâs acts. The five kinds of self-knowledge, according to Ulric Neisser, are: the […], The passage taken from “The Comfort of Strangers “by Ian McEwan essentially describes the want of two sisters Eva and Maria to look beautiful and furthermore the denial of their […], During the interactive oral, we discussed the main theme of the meaninglessness of human life that is present in The Stranger by Albert Camus. These, as well as many other incidents and events in Camus’ life influenced him in the sense that they formed in him a bleak, pessimistic view of life. Absurdist goes a step further to say that not only is life purposeless, but any attempt at finding meaning is utterly absurd. Existentialism thus becomes part of the very ideology which it attacks, and its radicalism is illusory” What Marcuse is saying here is that existentialism makes the mistake of thinking that just because human conditions are tragic and seem to lack a purpose, that they in fact do. Neither the external world in which Meursault lives nor the internal world of his thoughts and attitudes possesses any rational order. He doesn’t care when his mother died, in fact the fact that he has to attend the funeral altogether is the most troubling part of this whole ordeal to him. One philosophical system that is studied by many philosophers if called existentialism. Whether or not there is purpose to the universe is an ontological and metaphysical subject, not one that can be realized through historical events. No plagiarism, guaranteed! Ironically, it is only the thought of imminent death that leads Meursault to acknowledge anything like meaning or importance in life. Absurdism says that the universe is chaotic and unpredictable; therefore, the individual has ultimate freedom. In 1914, Camus’ Father was drafted into WWI and killed in France. 1st Jan 1970 6.White, Ray. When, âFor no particular reason, [Mers.] Humans must accept the absolute indifference of the world towards human life. We've received widespread press coverage since 2003, Your UKEssays purchase is secure and we're rated 4.4/5 on reviews.co.uk. He has no hope or purpose in his life. Absurdism goes a step further to say that not only is life purposeless, but any attempt at finding meaning is utterly absurd. Existentialism In The Stranger By Camus philosophers argue that people can only achieve happiness if they accept that life has no true purpose. Meursault, left alone with his thoughts, thinks about his life and has the âreal freedomâ to be aware of life as a whole. Looking for a flexible role? “Sartre’s Existentialism”. After the incident Meursault is sent to jail for murder. It is, in fact, the process of creating value through rebellion that Camus believed we could create value for all ⦠Camus affirms that âthe only order in a disordered world is the one we create for ourselvesâ(Moser 2). Free resources to assist you with your university studies! In 1934 he Married Simone Hié, but divorced her two years later. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. Throughout the story, Meursault refuses to adhere to the moral codes of society and murders an Arab, which leads him to months in prison and a ⦠Albert Camus once stated that a novel âis never anything but a philosophy expressed in imagesâ (Kellman). Web. In conclusion Meursault portrays many existentialist characteristics and actions throughout the literary work and it can be inferred that The Stranger was an existentialist novel ⦠In other words, existentialism it emphasizes individual freedom. as a way to relay his theory as a story. However, it is not necessarily found as an element in all existential thought. All work is written to order. As opposed to the multitude of books and manifestos approaching existentialism from an academic perspective, The Stranger approaches the philosophy by detailing a character with the belief innately in him and showing how someone like this might behave. Essay on Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism Existentialismis a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts. Essay on Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts. level of absurdism to the next level so it can really be seen. The Idea of Existentialism in The Stranger 965 Words4 Pages Existentialism is defined as "a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining his or her own development through acts of the willâ. An existentialist will learn to accept death when the time has come and should know that the most important questions to life have no answers. Abstract : Albert Camusâs present novel The Stranger widely considered as the true representation of his philosophical movement Existentialism and Absurdity. Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher? Presented in first person narration through the eyes of Meursault, the indifferent and apathetic main character, the novel serves to evoke the creed of existentialism through the embodiment of the philosophy in a person. "Maman died today or yesterday maybe, I don't know". World Company, 1956. The reason is the tragedy and devastation the world saw at this time-several world wars in specific. An example of an existentialist in the philosophical novel The Stranger by Albert Camus, is Meursault. Mersault and His Trial in Albert Camus's "The Stranger", Commentary of a Passage Taken from " the Comfort of the Strangers ", The Things They Carried" Compared to Neisser's "Five Kinds of Self Knowledge, “Story Truth” and “Happening Truth” in "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, Analysis "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, The Portrayal of Vietnam in The Things They Carried and Good Morning Vietnam, Love and War in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried: Symbolism, Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism. But the philosophy of existentialism is not free of criticism. Registered office: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. English Literature Get tips and ideas in OUTLINE. Similarly, is the stranger absurdist or existentialist? Albert Camus clearly portrays his idea of the absurd at the end of the novel, when Meursault comes to a full acceptance of his absurd position in the universe and cannot but conclude that he is happy. Existentialism makes the point that there is no purpose or meaning in the universe. The Stranger by Albert Camus,1942, translated by Ha Ja Ba Ra La by Sukumar Ray ,Sumar Rachana Stuart Gilbert Samagra The Stranger b 0 he Trial by Kafka :In the Light of Existentialism and Absurdism The Trial by Kafka ;in the light of absurdism and existentialism Disha Mondal M.A. The Stranger was an unusually good book, which made me think. In 1940 he wrote an essay on the state of Muslims in Algeria causing him to lose his job and move to Paris. Meursault accepts his own death and the indifference of the world to his death. Though Camus does not refer to this notion or absurdity, the beliefs are performed throughout the novel. shoots an Arab. Camusâ famous novel, The Stranger, is a novel that reflects the idea of the absurd. I admitted I hadn’t and inquired whether it was really necessary to have one.” (Camus, 63) Meursault didn’t understand why he would need an attorney for his case because it was simple to him, he had murdered a man and was now ready to pay his action. This corporal representation of existentialism is what makes The Stranger the unique book it is. Company Registration No: 4964706. In writing The Stranger, Albert Camus championed the idea of existentialism, a philosophy he truly believed in it. Existentialism and The Stranger By Helen Carrasco, Sara Vlajic, and Madison Sturgeon Accepting Death Analysis-Facing a Crisis The Stranger- An existential hero chooses to accept their fate and their fate usually ends with death. A significant event from the novel would be when the magistrate in the story brings out his crucifix and revealed it to the protagonist, Meursault. This is how a person consumed with existentialism would behave and think-indifferently and apathetically. “The Meaning of Life.” 2004. These opening lines of the novel serve not only to introduce the novel but to summarize it as well. While Absurdist might seem like a synonym for Existentialism, the two are slightly different. “I felt as I understood why at the end of her life she had taken a ‘fiancé.’ ” (Camus, 122), All of these examples demonstrate that The Stranger could be a novel with the theme of existentialism but Albert Camus was an absurdist writer and the novel’s intended theme was the philosophy of the absurd. Copyright © 2003 - 2021 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. And humans do in fact possess the innate desire, or rather compulsion, to explain things and have things figured out-thus explaining their need to associate a purpose with the universe, even when it doesn’t necessarily exist. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Camus is known for his conception of the absurd, which is a main theme of existentialism. Camusâ most prominent works â such as the novels The Plague, The Stranger, The Rebel, and ⦠Likewise, the war has a similar effect, but a much more powerful impact. In his story “The Things They Carried”, Tim O’Brien, enlightens the reader with the many faces and emotions of men. “Maman died today or yesterday maybe, I don’t know”. Translated by Joris De Bres. After the chaplain leaves, Meursault has a small revelation “And I felt ready to live it all again too. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! *You can also browse our support articles here >. The Outsider, by Albert Camus, is such a study of absurdism. Albert Camus The Stranger: Existentialism and Absurdism Essay Free Articles Existentialism is a doctrine that emphasizes the singularity and isolation of the single experience in a hostile or apathetic existence. In any instanceThe Strangerprice reductions both the value of any workss and the hope of internal felicity based on a belief of divinity. The Stranger. Finding it so much like myself-so like a brother, really-I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again.” (Camus, 122-123) Meursault realizes the absurdity of his existence in the universe and accepts his fate. His protagonist Meursault as an existential hero denies established religion, existing social norms, rational thinking and civil code. He uses Mers. Right away, within the very first sentence, the reader is introduced to existentialism incarnate. 4.Sartre, Jean P. Existentialism is a Humanism. The answer from The Stranger to these questions is a categorical "No." In the realistic fiction The Things They […], Tim O’Brien is a very diverse writer, he compared the ‘story truth’ and the ‘happening truth’ to illustrate a story to show why most war stories are fictional and the […], Ulric Neisser’s Five Kinds of Self-Knowledge tells about the five distinct selves that all people encounter throughout their lives. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. Camus just takes Mers. Printed in Studies in Critical Philosophy. Even the antihero of The Stranger perseveres despite what happens and, when facing execution, opens himself up to the absurdity of existence. He talks about the weather, the food he’s eating, about the things he did that day rather than how he feels or thinks of other people, places and things. While absurdism may be considered a branch of existentialism, it is a specific idea that is not necessary to an existentialist view. Works Cited "Absurdism." Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes a number of points, such as the freedom to choose and the choices and individual makes should be made without the consent of another person or standard. Absurdism holds that the world is absurd and that looking for order or meaning of any kind is a futile endeavor. Existentialism makes the point that there is no purpose or meaning in the universe. , âFor no particular reason, [ Mers. to wherever it leads, existentialism it emphasizes individual.! To live it all again too therefore, the two are slightly.. That he was, held more firmly to the absurdity of the human condition it all again.... For service in WWII, but a philosophy expressed in imagesâ ( Kellman ) good... 1941 he joined the French resistance against the Nazis and became an editor of,... Order in a disordered world is the one we create for ourselvesâ ( Moser 2 ) beliefs performed! 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We 've received widespread press coverage since 2003, your UKEssays purchase is secure and 're... Stranger to these questions is a trading name of all Answers Ltd, a philosophy truly! Absolute indifference of the absurd next level so it can really be seen oneâs Acts of Stranger... Accepting Meursaultâs behavior not only is life purposeless, but that didn ’ t know ” the chaplain leaves Meursault... Piece published in 1942: Venture House, Cross Street, Arnold,,... Existence of free will and the Stranger, written by French author Albert Camus the. Falling asleep during the vigil of his thoughts and attitudes possesses any rational order are using or them! Killing an Arab for no apparent reason manifested by a profound lack of emotion that didn ’ mean. Your university studies towards human life. somewhat controversial, but was rejected due to illness century when it have.
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