Albert Camus Literature Review

Extract

[...] It seems that Meursault does not find one himself. - The character seems to be very sensitive to external phenomena. He approaches the Arab unfortunately by trying to get away from the sun that blinds him and it's there that, maybe because the Arab feels threatened that he draws the knife, a knife that appears terrifying, like a sword, to Meursault's eyes who takes the revolver and fires. - The sun is omnipresent in this excerpt. The omnipresent presence of the sun in this excerpt reinforces the recurring theme of absurdity and indifference of the universe in 'The Stranger'. [...]

[...] - However, Camus explains that man can find meaning in this struggle itself. That is to say, even if we know that the efforts we make are vain, the effort is beautiful in itself and is worth it: 'the struggle itself to the summits is enough to fill a man's heart'. For Camus, it is in this act of continuing to struggle, despite the absurdity, that Sisyphus finds his greatness. The struggle itself becomes a source of meaning. The Rebel - Camus presents the rebel man as a man who says no. [...]

[...] I replied that we would do it as soon as she wanted. I then told her about the boss's proposal, and Marie said she would love to get to know Paris. I told her I had lived there at one time, and she asked me what it was like. I told her, 'It's dirty. There are pigeons and dark courtyards. People have pale skin.' - Traditionally, it's the man who asks the woman to marry him and it's then the occasion for passionate declarations. [...]

[...] Because of this burn that I couldn't take anymore, I made a movement forward. I knew it was stupid, that I wouldn't get rid of the sun by taking a step. But I took a step, just one step forward. And this time, without getting up, the Arab drew his knife and presented it to me in the sun. The light flashed on the steel and it was like a long, shining blade that was hitting me on the forehead. [...]

[...] - The group is then divided into two, between Stepan who is ready to kill the Tsar's children, even if they are innocent because the misfortune that will affect a few innocent lives is compensated by the whole people and especially children who die of hunger - The other characters and particularly Kaliayev do not share this point of view. They do not want to kill children who are innocence itself. They do not want to endorse a revolution that will disregard innocence. They do not want a revolution at any cost. - Yes, Camus' words join the excerpt from Justes. Camus thinks that one cannot do everything in the name of great principles. This shows the great attachment that the writer has to human life, which he places above all. [...]