Write a Short Note on Meursault’s Realization of the Absurdity of Life.

Answer

Write a short note on Meursault’s realisation of the absurdity of life. [NU: 2017] ★★★

Or, How does Camus, in his “The Outsider,” attempt to portray the absurdity of man’s existence in the universe?

Albert Camus (1913–1960) in “The Outsider” (1942) shows the absurdity of life through Meursault. He lives in Algiers. He does not follow society’s rules. He accepts death calmly. His final realisation makes him an existential anti-hero who embraces truth.

Indifference at Mother’s Death: The novel begins with death. Meursault gets a telegram from Marengo. He says, 

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

He does not cry at the funeral. He drinks coffee. He smokes near the coffin. Thomas Pérez nearly faints in the hot sun. But Meursault only feels the heat. He says later, 

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

This detachment shows life’s absurdity. Death, which should bring grief, brings nothing for him.

The Murder and the Trial: At Masson’s beach house, Meursault, Marie Cardona, and Raymond Sintès meet two Arabs. Later, under the sun, Meursault fires five shots. He says, 

“It was because of the sun.”

At the trial, the court forgets the murder. The Prosecutor calls him a monster because he did not cry at his mother’s death. Witnesses like the Director, the Caretaker, and Marie speak against him. Society judges emotion, not the crime. This shows the absurdity of human justice.

Final Realisation in Prison: In prison, Meursault rejects faith. The Magistrate shows him the crucifix. The Chaplain asks him to pray. He shouts, 

“I didn’t believe in God.”

He accepts death. He says life has no meaning. Yet, he feels peace. He realises the universe is indifferent. He says the world is gentle indifference. This is the true absurdity of life. By accepting it, he finds freedom.

Camus shows absurdity in every step of Meursault’s