Existentialism
Existentialism is an idea or a philosophy about individual's life. I think it's basically a theory that discusses about the existence of the individual and how each of us are responsible in our own lives.
A man said to the universe
"Sir, I exist!"
"However", replied the universe
"The fact has not created in me
a sense of obligation."
I think it means that the universe does not have responsibility or liability for us. It is us who must save ourselves and the universe is not going to protect us and our existence. It made the man sound kind of selfish which made me think that we are all self centered. But we're alone in this world and we have to stay determined and have the will to achieve our goals. It's also saying that there's nothing going on between us and the universe and the world will not protect any of us. We exist, but that doesn't mean that the world cares about us. We're on our own, we have to learn to thrive as an individual.
Albert Camus (Questions) January 23, 2013
Albert Camus is a French novelist. He was born in Mondovi, Algeria on November 7,1913. The climate of Algeria is arid to semi arid but mostly mild. Winters are not cold, summers are warm, and humidity is high. This climate somewhat helped Camus write his novels/essays. His father, Lucien, died during the war with France so his mother, Catherine, was left alone to raise his sons. Also, they struggled in poverty. The whole family was forced to move to another region so their grandmother could raise them. However, his grandmother and uncle soon became really sick. His life was full of misery and misfortune.
Albert's uncle and teacher helped Camus study literature. The Stranger, which was written in French, was published in 1942. The book gives examples of existentialism. The narrator, Meursault, has been told that his mother passed away. (recieves a telegram) He attends the funeral but he does not cry or mourn over his mother; he seems emotionless and careless. During his vacation with his friend and his girlfriend, he meets two Arabs. They get into a fight and Meursault kills one of them. He is sentenced to execution. He gets really mad and starts saying that the world is meaningless. He says that everyone has the same fate(death) but he's being optimistic. He knows that he has freedom and he likes the fact that he is living a simpler life.
The US entered into World War II around the time Camus was writing his novel. I think this is the reason why there was a scene of violence in his novel. Most of the people disagreed with his idea of "existentialism" and they were angry after reading the book. They thought it was inappropriate and it negatively influenced their lives. On the other hand, the people who enjoyed reading The Stranger, thought the idea was very interesting. It made them question the meaning of life.
Camus died in a car accident on january 4, 1960 while he was returning to Paris. He was 46 years old. I think existentialism is an idea or a philosophy about individual's life. I think it's basically a theory that discusses about the existence of the individual and how each of us are responsible in our own lives. People who discussed existentialism were mostly from Europe. Obviously, there is Albert Camus, Martin Buber from Germany, Nicola Abbagnano from Italy, etc. who were existentialists.
The Stranger - Chapter 1 January 24, 2013
After Meursault arranged for his mother to live in a nursing home, why did he visit her so infrequently?
I think he reason is because he and his mother were not that close. They didn't talk much when he was young. Also, he said that he felt like his mother was living a happy life in the home so he didn't bother visiting her frequently. He didn't feel the need to visit her because his mother was doing well in her own life and he felt like they were separated. Also, his mother lived far from where he lived; he thought it would be a waste of time.
Does Meursault give an explanation for wanting/not wanting to see the open casket? Why would someone respond in this way? In your opinion, is this normal behavior?
No, he did not give any explanation for not wanting to see the open casket. I think he did that because he didn't want to feel sad. I think it is a normal behavior because it could actually make him feel worse.
Describe Meursault’s dream-like experience beginning on page 9. What is happening?
He was with his mother's friends. They were all feeling sad for his mother, which was like showing some kind of respect. He described some of them and thought it was really annoying to hear someone cry. He was half-asleep and felt uncomfortable being with others. He still didn't seem to be concerned with his mother's death because he was detached.
What are three (3) of Meursault’s last thoughts of the burial?
He first thought that his death of mother didn't really affect anyone but he realized he was wrong when he saw his mother's friends. Meursault didn't really say anything about his mother. It seemed like he was just annoyed about how hot the room was. Also, he mentioned that if it wasn't his mother, he would've been enjoying the warm weather in the village. On the way home, he was happy that he was going home and that he would be sleeping for twelve hours.
The Stranger - Chapter 1,2&3 January 26,2013
1. In chapter 1, Mersault tells us, "It had been a long time since I'd been out in the country, and I could feel how much I'd enjoy going for a walk if it hadn't been for Maman." What can we discern about him based on this quote?
I think he only liked the warm weather and wanted to enjoy it. He may have felt like there was nothing more important than that; as if there was no meaning to be at his mother's funeral. He seems careless and detached and has his priorities wrong. I think this kind of explains the idea of existentialism, that human existence doesnt mean anything.
2. "I got up. Raymond gave me a very firm handshake and said that men always understand each other. I left his room, closing the door behind me, and paused for a minute in the dark, on the landing. The house was quiet, and a breath of dark, dank air wafted p from deep in the stairwell. All I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. I stood there, motionless."
What is the significance of this quote? How does it add to the story? How does it make the reader feel? Elaborate.
I'm really not sure, but i think it meant that Meursault felt something about friendship. He never really had close friends and maybe that was the reason why he was acting so robot-like(?). I think this can change his feelings about things he never cared about. This may not be able to change his whole thoughts (Indifference) but i think it could make him more emotional or interested in life. He's felt something he's never experienced before and was always careless but Raymond's existence in his life might not be so meaningless to Meursault. It makes the reader feel more interested because it's telling us that there's going to be change. "All I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. I stood there,motionless". This sentence gives us a little hint about what he's going through. It means that he's feeling tense and nervous.
3. Meursault appears heartless for failing to express grief or even to care about his mother’s death. Yet to condemn and dismiss him risks missing much of the meaning of the novel. What is the meaning of the novel thus far? What is the author saying about life?
I think it's trying to tell us that a person can be so careless. Every detail in the story is so unexpected and it doesn't sound normal to me. But i dont think Meursault has a negative view of life. He's just "indifferent" like the book said. I think the author is saying that life is neither good or bad. He thinks that people should stop looking for the real meaning of life.
4. Do you feel Mersault to be a good person? Why or why not? If not, what parts of his character make him "bad"?
No, not really.Well, I dont think he's neither good nor bad. It's sometimes really confusing because Meursault seems so emotionless. He doesn't care about anything or anyone and it makes me feel really bad;although he's just being honest. Honesty is good but he's TOO honest. He didn't have to say that if it wasnt for his mother, he could've enjoyed going for a walk.
At first i was like, how could a person think such way? He did not grieve over his mother's death and that made me think that he was an outsider or a very mean person but those are just what the society thinks. I think there's no right or wrong for him.
5. Choose any quote from the novel that you feel is particularly important. Copy the quote to your web page. Explain it's significance.
"It occurred to me that somehow I’d got through another Sunday, that Mother now was buried, and tomorrow I’d be going back to work as usual. Really, nothing in my life had changed."
This isn't really a quote but it somehow shows the feelings of Meursault. It's surprising how all the things he went through, didnt mean anything to Meursault. This quote tells us once again that he has no interest in life. He says that nothing has changed after his mother's funeral. He seems heartless because his mother's death did not affect him in any way. But that doesn't mean that he didn't like his mother. The quote is saying that he is indifferent to his mother and to everything in this world.
The Stranger- Mini Essay #1 February 5, 2013
Marie and Raymond are other two main characters from The Stranger that help clarify Meusault's ideas and thoughts. Each of their personality and viewpoint is obviously very different but they have a similar role. They both have the ability to highlight Meusault's action. Marie and Raymond are both important because they tell us more about the main character.
Both Marie and Raymond have a close relationship with Meusault; they all like each other. Marie is her girlfriend but he does not think that does not make any difference. Despite him being careless and so emotionless, Marie wants to marry him. She does know that he is a little odd and different, but she still loves him. Marie is just a typical/normal person, but Raymond has a strong character. But not the good kind. He's rather bizarre,troublesome, and not ethical. However, Meusault likes him. He never thinks Raymond is a bad person. If I were Meusault, I wouldn't go near Raymond becaue he sounds dangerous and too weird . I think this tells us that Meusault is indifferent. Still, Marie and Raymond have a lot in common. They are used to highlight Meusault's action and thoughts but in a different way(opposite way actually).
The two other main characters, Marie and Raymond are used to tell us how strange Meusault can be, like the book title, The Stranger. They have different ways of viewing the world and have different beliefs and thoughts. Their relationship with Meusault, the main character, helps us understand the main character or the whole story better. They provide us with information in their viewpoints and support the main character.
The Stranger- Mini Essay #2
Meursault,as we all know, is indifferent and it could be a threat to society. He doesn't try to fit in and that makes it difficult for him and all people to survive in this world. People have similar values but different meanings. Meusault is just too different.
Society creates morality and is made up of people with same values. It's made for people to follow rules and cooperate with each other. (There's a reason for it of course.) People have to be in control of themselve and that's the right way to keep our world a little more peaceful and safe. But Meusault is careless and thinks that he has no responsibility for anything. Since people already decided what's right and wrong, Meusault is considered to be an absurdist. His ideas aren't wrong, he's just indifferent. You can't punish people based on what they think. That's just not right. But his thoughts and beliefs caused murder of a person, which goes against the law, or what majority of people think it's right. That is one way of separating yourself and destructing the society. In this case, (if they had to follow the law), Meusault deserves to die. I think indifferent people like Meusault are way more dangerous. They act like nomal people but inside of them, there's always something unknown. If it was a criminal, we would've known his or her goal and thoughts and what they want, but indifferent people, are rather confusing. It's hard to find out what they believe in and what they think about. This could mean that anything can happen, which sounds more dangerous to me.
Being a little different and "indifferent" has no similar meanings. Being indifferent has more complex meanings. It's not a good idea to be indifferent because it means that you're pushing yourself away from the whole society. It's like being a loner with no one agreeing with you. No one's wrong or right but Meusault was the only one with those "indifferent" viewpoints. No one was willing to understand him.
Albert's uncle and teacher helped Camus study literature. The Stranger, which was written in French, was published in 1942. The book gives examples of existentialism. The narrator, Meursault, has been told that his mother passed away. (recieves a telegram) He attends the funeral but he does not cry or mourn over his mother; he seems emotionless and careless. During his vacation with his friend and his girlfriend, he meets two Arabs. They get into a fight and Meursault kills one of them. He is sentenced to execution. He gets really mad and starts saying that the world is meaningless. He says that everyone has the same fate(death) but he's being optimistic. He knows that he has freedom and he likes the fact that he is living a simpler life.
The US entered into World War II around the time Camus was writing his novel. I think this is the reason why there was a scene of violence in his novel. Most of the people disagreed with his idea of "existentialism" and they were angry after reading the book. They thought it was inappropriate and it negatively influenced their lives. On the other hand, the people who enjoyed reading The Stranger, thought the idea was very interesting. It made them question the meaning of life.
Camus died in a car accident on january 4, 1960 while he was returning to Paris. He was 46 years old. I think existentialism is an idea or a philosophy about individual's life. I think it's basically a theory that discusses about the existence of the individual and how each of us are responsible in our own lives. People who discussed existentialism were mostly from Europe. Obviously, there is Albert Camus, Martin Buber from Germany, Nicola Abbagnano from Italy, etc. who were existentialists.
The Stranger - Chapter 1 January 24, 2013
After Meursault arranged for his mother to live in a nursing home, why did he visit her so infrequently?
I think he reason is because he and his mother were not that close. They didn't talk much when he was young. Also, he said that he felt like his mother was living a happy life in the home so he didn't bother visiting her frequently. He didn't feel the need to visit her because his mother was doing well in her own life and he felt like they were separated. Also, his mother lived far from where he lived; he thought it would be a waste of time.
Does Meursault give an explanation for wanting/not wanting to see the open casket? Why would someone respond in this way? In your opinion, is this normal behavior?
No, he did not give any explanation for not wanting to see the open casket. I think he did that because he didn't want to feel sad. I think it is a normal behavior because it could actually make him feel worse.
Describe Meursault’s dream-like experience beginning on page 9. What is happening?
He was with his mother's friends. They were all feeling sad for his mother, which was like showing some kind of respect. He described some of them and thought it was really annoying to hear someone cry. He was half-asleep and felt uncomfortable being with others. He still didn't seem to be concerned with his mother's death because he was detached.
What are three (3) of Meursault’s last thoughts of the burial?
He first thought that his death of mother didn't really affect anyone but he realized he was wrong when he saw his mother's friends. Meursault didn't really say anything about his mother. It seemed like he was just annoyed about how hot the room was. Also, he mentioned that if it wasn't his mother, he would've been enjoying the warm weather in the village. On the way home, he was happy that he was going home and that he would be sleeping for twelve hours.
The Stranger - Chapter 1,2&3 January 26,2013
1. In chapter 1, Mersault tells us, "It had been a long time since I'd been out in the country, and I could feel how much I'd enjoy going for a walk if it hadn't been for Maman." What can we discern about him based on this quote?
I think he only liked the warm weather and wanted to enjoy it. He may have felt like there was nothing more important than that; as if there was no meaning to be at his mother's funeral. He seems careless and detached and has his priorities wrong. I think this kind of explains the idea of existentialism, that human existence doesnt mean anything.
2. "I got up. Raymond gave me a very firm handshake and said that men always understand each other. I left his room, closing the door behind me, and paused for a minute in the dark, on the landing. The house was quiet, and a breath of dark, dank air wafted p from deep in the stairwell. All I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. I stood there, motionless."
What is the significance of this quote? How does it add to the story? How does it make the reader feel? Elaborate.
I'm really not sure, but i think it meant that Meursault felt something about friendship. He never really had close friends and maybe that was the reason why he was acting so robot-like(?). I think this can change his feelings about things he never cared about. This may not be able to change his whole thoughts (Indifference) but i think it could make him more emotional or interested in life. He's felt something he's never experienced before and was always careless but Raymond's existence in his life might not be so meaningless to Meursault. It makes the reader feel more interested because it's telling us that there's going to be change. "All I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. I stood there,motionless". This sentence gives us a little hint about what he's going through. It means that he's feeling tense and nervous.
3. Meursault appears heartless for failing to express grief or even to care about his mother’s death. Yet to condemn and dismiss him risks missing much of the meaning of the novel. What is the meaning of the novel thus far? What is the author saying about life?
I think it's trying to tell us that a person can be so careless. Every detail in the story is so unexpected and it doesn't sound normal to me. But i dont think Meursault has a negative view of life. He's just "indifferent" like the book said. I think the author is saying that life is neither good or bad. He thinks that people should stop looking for the real meaning of life.
4. Do you feel Mersault to be a good person? Why or why not? If not, what parts of his character make him "bad"?
No, not really.Well, I dont think he's neither good nor bad. It's sometimes really confusing because Meursault seems so emotionless. He doesn't care about anything or anyone and it makes me feel really bad;although he's just being honest. Honesty is good but he's TOO honest. He didn't have to say that if it wasnt for his mother, he could've enjoyed going for a walk.
At first i was like, how could a person think such way? He did not grieve over his mother's death and that made me think that he was an outsider or a very mean person but those are just what the society thinks. I think there's no right or wrong for him.
5. Choose any quote from the novel that you feel is particularly important. Copy the quote to your web page. Explain it's significance.
"It occurred to me that somehow I’d got through another Sunday, that Mother now was buried, and tomorrow I’d be going back to work as usual. Really, nothing in my life had changed."
This isn't really a quote but it somehow shows the feelings of Meursault. It's surprising how all the things he went through, didnt mean anything to Meursault. This quote tells us once again that he has no interest in life. He says that nothing has changed after his mother's funeral. He seems heartless because his mother's death did not affect him in any way. But that doesn't mean that he didn't like his mother. The quote is saying that he is indifferent to his mother and to everything in this world.
The Stranger- Mini Essay #1 February 5, 2013
Marie and Raymond are other two main characters from The Stranger that help clarify Meusault's ideas and thoughts. Each of their personality and viewpoint is obviously very different but they have a similar role. They both have the ability to highlight Meusault's action. Marie and Raymond are both important because they tell us more about the main character.
Both Marie and Raymond have a close relationship with Meusault; they all like each other. Marie is her girlfriend but he does not think that does not make any difference. Despite him being careless and so emotionless, Marie wants to marry him. She does know that he is a little odd and different, but she still loves him. Marie is just a typical/normal person, but Raymond has a strong character. But not the good kind. He's rather bizarre,troublesome, and not ethical. However, Meusault likes him. He never thinks Raymond is a bad person. If I were Meusault, I wouldn't go near Raymond becaue he sounds dangerous and too weird . I think this tells us that Meusault is indifferent. Still, Marie and Raymond have a lot in common. They are used to highlight Meusault's action and thoughts but in a different way(opposite way actually).
The two other main characters, Marie and Raymond are used to tell us how strange Meusault can be, like the book title, The Stranger. They have different ways of viewing the world and have different beliefs and thoughts. Their relationship with Meusault, the main character, helps us understand the main character or the whole story better. They provide us with information in their viewpoints and support the main character.
The Stranger- Mini Essay #2
Meursault,as we all know, is indifferent and it could be a threat to society. He doesn't try to fit in and that makes it difficult for him and all people to survive in this world. People have similar values but different meanings. Meusault is just too different.
Society creates morality and is made up of people with same values. It's made for people to follow rules and cooperate with each other. (There's a reason for it of course.) People have to be in control of themselve and that's the right way to keep our world a little more peaceful and safe. But Meusault is careless and thinks that he has no responsibility for anything. Since people already decided what's right and wrong, Meusault is considered to be an absurdist. His ideas aren't wrong, he's just indifferent. You can't punish people based on what they think. That's just not right. But his thoughts and beliefs caused murder of a person, which goes against the law, or what majority of people think it's right. That is one way of separating yourself and destructing the society. In this case, (if they had to follow the law), Meusault deserves to die. I think indifferent people like Meusault are way more dangerous. They act like nomal people but inside of them, there's always something unknown. If it was a criminal, we would've known his or her goal and thoughts and what they want, but indifferent people, are rather confusing. It's hard to find out what they believe in and what they think about. This could mean that anything can happen, which sounds more dangerous to me.
Being a little different and "indifferent" has no similar meanings. Being indifferent has more complex meanings. It's not a good idea to be indifferent because it means that you're pushing yourself away from the whole society. It's like being a loner with no one agreeing with you. No one's wrong or right but Meusault was the only one with those "indifferent" viewpoints. No one was willing to understand him.