What conflict do you notice in the relationship between Meursault and Marie?
The Outsider is a notable literary work by Albert Camus. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Outsider.
Answer
What conflict do you notice in the relationship between Meursault and Marie? [NU: 2021]
Albert Camus (1913–1960) in “The Outsider” (1942) shows the conflict between love and indifference. Marie Cardona loves Meursault deeply. She dreams of marriage and happiness. But Meursault remains detached. Their relationship shows the gap between human emotions and Meursault’s cold attitude.
Love of Marie and Indifference of Meursault: The day after the funeral at Marengo, Meursault meets Marie at the beach. They swim and laugh together. Later, they go to the cinema. Marie is happy. But Meursault stays calm. Meursault says,
“Marie came that evening and asked me if I’d marry her.”
Meursault answers without emotion. He says,
“I said I didn’t mind; if she was keen on it, we’d get married.”
This shows Marie’s passion and Meursault’s indifference.
Marie’s Hope and Meursault’s Detachment: Marie Cardona continues to love him. She spends nights with him. She visits him in prison. She hopes for marriage. But Meursault does not change. He says,
“Her question meant nothing or next to nothing.”
This hurts Marie. She loves him with her heart. But he cannot feel the same. The conflict grows because Marie wants romance, but Meursault treats love as nothing.
Final Separation through Society: During the trial in Algiers, Marie is called as a witness. She says she and Meursault went to the cinema the day after his mother’s funeral. The court sees this as shameful. Marie suffers. Meursault again remains silent. Their love is destroyed not only by his indifference but also by society’s judgment. The conflict ends in separation.
The relationship between Meursault and Marie Cardona is full of conflict. She gives love, he gives indifference. She dreams, he stays calm. In the end, their bond is broken by both his coldness and the judgment of society.