Discuss the character of Meursault in “The Outsider”.

Answer

Discuss the character of Meursault in detail. [NB: This question must show his view of society as well as his trial. This also must prove him as an existential and anti-hero. ★★★ 

Albert Camus’s (1913-1960) “The Outsider” (1942) tells the story of Meursault. He lives in Algiers. He works in an office. He is the narrator of the novel. But he is not like others. He is an outsider. He does not cry when his mother dies. He does not show passion for love. He kills an Arab on the beach. At the trial, he is judged more for his indifference than for his crime. His character reflects Camus’s Absurd philosophy. 

Meursault and His Mother’s Death: The novel begins with death. Meursault gets a telegram. It says his mother has died at the old age home in Marengo. He says,

“Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday; I can’t be sure.”

This shows his indifference from the first line. He takes the bus. On the way, he feels sleepy. At the old home, the Director tells him the coffin is sealed. The Caretaker asks to open it, but Meursault refuses to see his mother’s face. He spends the night by the coffin. He drinks coffee. He smokes. He listens to the Caretaker’s endless talk. The next day, the funeral takes place. Thomas Pérez, his mother’s companion, walks under the hot sun and nearly faints. Meursault notices only the sun and the heat. He says very little. He does not cry. After the funeral, he returns to Algiers calmly. He says,

“Mother now was buried, and tomorrow I’d be going back to work as usual.”

This shows his detachment. Society later sees him as heartless.

Meursault and Love: The very next day, Meursault meets Marie Cardona at the beach. They swim. They laugh. They spend the day together. In the evening, they go to the cinema and watch a comedy. Later, they spend the night together. Meursault says, 

“Marie came that

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