The Outsider : Quotations
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.
Quotations
Quotes
“It was because of the sun.” – (The Outsider, Meursault, Part I)
Explanation (English): Meursault explains why he shot the Arab. The sun’s heat and glare blinded him. This reason shocks the court. It shows his detachment and the absurdity of life.
“Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday; I can’t be sure.” – (The Outsider, Opening line, Meursault, Part I)
Explanation (English): The novel begins with this line. It shows Meursault’s coldness. He cannot feel grief for his mother’s death. His indifference shocks society and makes him an outsider.
“Marie came that evening and asked me if I’d marry her. I said I didn’t mind; if she was keen on it, we’d get married.”- (The Outsider, Meursault, Part I)
Explanation (English): Marie loves Meursault deeply. But he is indifferent. His answer shows he does not care about love or marriage. It shocks Marie but she still stays. This shows his cold attitude.
“It was because of the sun.” – (The Outsider, Meursault, Part II)
Explanation (English): Meursault explains why he killed the Arab. He blames the burning sun and blinding light. The court finds this absurd. It shows how nature, not reason, pushed him to murder.
“I didn’t believe in God.”– (The Outsider, Meursault, Part II)
Explanation (English): Meursault rejects the Magistrate and the Chaplain. He does not believe in God or the afterlife. This makes him a true existential anti-hero. He accepts only death as truth.
“Her question meant nothing or next to nothing.”– (The Outsider, Meursault, Part II)
Explanation (English): Marie asks if he loves her. Meursault answers coldly. For him, love has no meaning. This shows his alienation and indifference to emotions.
“The day on which my trial started was one of brilliant sunshine.”– (The Outsider, Meursault, Part II)
Explanation (English): Meursault describes the trial like a natural event. He notices the sunshine, not the fear of judgment. This shows his focus on nature instead of society.
“And, gazing up at the dark sky spangled with its signs and stars, for the first time, I laid my heart open to the benign indifference of the universe.”– (The Outsider, Meursault, Part II)
Explanation (English): At the end, Meursault accepts life’s absurdity. The universe is indifferent, yet he feels peace. He finds freedom in accepting death.
“For all to be accomplished, for me to feel less lonely, all that remained to hope was that on the day of my execution there should be a huge crowd of spectators and that they should greet me with howls of execration.” – (The Outsider, Meursault, Part II)
Explanation (English): Before death, Meursault hopes for a hostile crowd. He wants people’s hatred, not pity. This shows his acceptance of alienation and his courage to face the end.