Theme of Detachment in The Outsider
About the author
Albert Camus (7 nov 1913 to 4 Jan (960) was a French philosopher, author and journalist, he was born in Algeria during French colonization. He spent his childhood in a poor family and later studied Philosophy at the University of Algeria. Camus also served as editor in chief at Combat, an outlated newspaper. He married twice but had many extra affairs. Albert Camus was also politically active and was a part of the left that opposed Soviet Union.
Camus was awarded
1957 Nobel Prize in literature at the age of 44, the second youngest recipient
in history of Nobel prizes. His most famous works include, The Stranger, The
plague, The Myth of Sisyphus, The fall and the Rebel. Albert Camus's first
publication was a play called Revolte dans des Asturies (Revolt in Asturies).
He died on 4th Jan 1960 in France.
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| Albert Camus |
Introduction= This novel
originally published in French language as the stranger (l'etranger) in 1942
which is later translated into English by Hamish Hamilton, Genre of this novel
is philosophical novel and setting of place was Algeries.
Camus written
this book as a first port of view, In which Meursault is the protagonist of the
story. He is a feeling less person who is detached from every aspect of life. We
will discuss about Meursault's detachment to his mother, Marie and his life
itself.
Theme of Detachment= Albert Camus used detachment as a theme and attitude in the
outsider. There are numerous occasions we can discuss the theme of detachment.
(1)
When
Meursault get to know about his mother's death, he showed no sign of grief
towards her, no emotions. He felt detached from her life and her death. However
he already put her into old-age home prior her death. Meursault is detached
from her mother physically and emotionally. When she passes away nothing truly
changes in his life.
(2)
After
his mother's death he is talking with Caretaker and started drinking and
smoking cigarettes in front of her body. This shows detachment towards her.
(3)
However
Meursault's is physically present at his
mother's burial place, he seems. to relaxed and thinking about his life in Algiers.
His desire to be in bed and relaxing rather than being serious. He is quite
detached from the funeral rather sees the afternoon as an annoying afternoon
outside.
(4)
Raymond
sintes and Meursault begin to experience companionship as their Sentiments
about humanity and relationship are detached from society. As Raymond
understands why Meursault does not want to talk about his mother's death with
anyone. This shows their want to be alone without disturbing their Solidtity.
(5)
As
Raymond beats his ex-girlfriend, Meursanlt slightly shocked but still they did
not feel any guilt of having violence on other human being. Meursault promised
to help Raymond with the police, They Seems detached from fighting and
violence.
(6)
After
Meursault boss calls him to office for his lack of professional work, he returns
to his desk and continues with his work as if nothing happened where his
response should be full of Sadness but Meursault is indifferent.
(7)
When
police began to question him, then he realized that actually he killed a man.
However to he does not understand why police continue to question him as he
feels detached from that current situation.
(8)
Marie
Cardona who sometimes visits Meursault at the prison although he feels distant
from her. He think that he could be used to any kind of life without friends,
family anything.
(9)
When
the court proceeding begins and lawyer, judges asks him questions he felt detached
from the case and his entire body himself. Meursault started to realize that it
is he who is on trial and must deal with case and bear the consequences.
(10)
Marie's
testimony is the changing poit of the Meursault's case. Her words has proven
that Meursault was engaged, happy and have
relation immediately after her mother's death.
(11)
As the trial concludes and lawyers submits
their reports, Meursualt listens as if he is just another person in the
audience, he does not feel any kind of -difference on his trial. This shows
that he is even detached from his own life.
Now let's have a
overview at the whole story and understand the theme of Detachment through the
story.
Meursault visits
his regular restaurant, Celeste's cafe even after his mother's death, Went to
the funeral house for the burial where he shown no sadness or emotions.
Immediately smokes cigar and drinks a regular coffee not obligatory black coffee
in this situation. Meursault behaves as if nothing seems to matter for him. At
the burial place he started noticing everything. The very next day he went to
the beach and met Marie Cardona and they started to sexual relation. Marie
wonders why he feels so much detached after his mother's death. Salamano who is
an old neighbor of Meursault who is having a problem with his dog and seeks his
help but Meursault is also detached from social life on a sunny day while Arab
shows blade to Meursaultt as a reaction without thinking he shoots and shoots
three more times.
In the court when
judge announces a death sentence to Meursault for the murder, he does not feel
any kind of fear of death. Instead he accepts the truth that he has taken
somebody's life and and this show he is even detached from his own life.
Critical Analysis= Overall The
stranger a novel by Albert Camus gives the appearance of being an extremely simple
though carefully planned and written book. In reality it is a very reach
creation full of undiscovered meanings and qualities. It would take a book to
write complete analysis of Albert Camus`s masterpiece. Meursault is being a
stranger (an unknown person) in society. Some critics also claims that
Meursault`s killing if the Arab and other actions of him is an act of murder.
From Albert Camus`s perspective he represented unnamed Arab victim`s brother
and show his as a real person who murdered.
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