The Stranger Outline

Thesis: Meursault is the personification of Albert Camus’s absurdist philosophy; the foils whom Camus juxtaposes against Meursault further clarify his representation of absurdism.

• Marie constantly trying to construct meaning out of Meursault’s actions
• “She said yes and that she understood what I meant” (42).  Marie is trying to justify something of which she might be jealous, although, Meursault does not make it clear that there was any meaning behind what he was saying at all.  Marie is interpreting what he says in a way that satisfies her, since his vagueness and apparent lack of motive leave what he says open to her interpretation.  Her wild goose chase for meaning in his words contrasts and even conflicts with his words’ lack of meaning.
• “My cigarette tasted bitter… ‘funeral face’” (47).
•  “I kissed her…she smiled”
• Magistrate trying to reason with Meursault about religion
• During Meursault's murder trial, when the magistrate waves a crucifix in Meursault's face, Meursault reports to the reader that the magistrate speaks very "quickly and passionately" of his profound faith in God (68). While Meursault's narration is usually fairly bland, these two adverbs create a clear image of the magistrate that contrasts strongly with the relaxed and measured movements of Meursault. As a result, the magistrate appears juvenile in his proclamation of his faith. By making a mockery of a man of faith, Meursault communicates his disinterest in religion and its lack of rationality and reason. He follows his own code of morals rather than that of any organized religion.
•  (Will rework to fit prompt)
• Lawyers trying to construct an image of Meursault’s character based on his meaningless actions
• “He is the kind of guy who” construction
• Asking him questions about completely unrelated events
• Analyzing events that are clearly meaningless
• Swim, not crying at funeral, dozing off during wake
• Lawyers appear ridiculous compared to Meursault, who appears to be the only one with any focus on what is relevant
• Raymond’s insecurity contrasts with Meursault’s indifference to what society thinks of him
• Assuring himself that he and Meursault are “pals”
• Jumps to the conclusion that his significant other is cheating on him based on small and inconclusive evidence
• Meursault does not make an effort to fit in because he does not believe it is worth the effort, whereas Raymond is desperate for a place among society.