Blog 55 Camus Essay

While “The Stranger” refers to how the reader perceives Meursault, it also represents how Meursault views himself, as a stranger. Unlike the reader however, Meursault begins to discover himself after the defining moment of his life when he kills the Arab. As Meursault deals with the consequences of his actions, he goes through an enlightenment where he discoveries what he believes is his true identity and true happiness. The reader on the other hand is forced to except what Meursault believes because “The Stranger” is an inside look at Meursault’s thoughts. Through this inside look at Meursault’s brain, the reader interprets that all of Meursault’s actions are done out of his physical needs; however, it seems to be that what is truly taking place is that Meursault is being guided by his emotions but can only understand and process his physical emotions. Like Joffrey in “Game Of Thrones” Meursault is truly guided by his impulses. Whenever either character gets an impulse, each one seems to simply carry out that impulse without thinking about the consequences, however, in both cases it seems that it is first an emotional situation that drives a physical need to act. While Meursault may argue that he makes his decisions based on his physical needs, what Meursault fails to realize and interpret is that it is his emotional needs that are the ones guiding his actions and sending him instructions that Meursault translates as physical needs.