The Stranger #4

Albert Camus emphasizes his absurdist philosophy in the final chapters of his book The Stranger. A resonating theme throughout the novel, the absurdist philosophy plays a special role in Mersault’s final days. Sitting idly by in his cell, Mersault feels completely disinterested by the world, knowing his fate has already been decided. Every attempt he is given to see the chaplain he turns down, until the chaplain comes to visit him. During this visit the chaplain tries to understand Mersault, only to see the conversation turn into a screaming frenzy for Mersault. In a fit of anger, Mersault proclaims, “nothing, nothing mattered and I knew why…throughout the whole absurd life I’d lived, a dark wind had been rising toward me from somewhere deep in my future…what did other people’s death or a mother’s love matter to me” (121). The absurdist philosophy involves the belief that life is meaningless, and the trial helps seal this perspective in place for Mersault. Blindsided by the negligible, idiotic aspects of his conviction, Mersault feels at a total loss with himself and the world. When the chaplain tries to discuss the picture of God, Mersault immediately refutes it. For what, exactly, would God matter to him after the ordeal Mersault has been put through? It is understandable why Mersault would feel the way he does. Camus uses the trial as a building block for his final chapter, for when Mersault announces the absurdist philosophy and for when Mersault proclaims the idiotic aspects of his life that will get him executed. The unlikely result of this situation merely drives the idea home. It is absurd that Mersault is forced to live the consequences of actions that did not in any way shape or form premeditate murder, similar to how it is absurd that Sisyphus is forced to mindlessly push a boulder up a hill that will result in absolutely no redemption whatsoever.