What is Meursault’s idea of an afterlife in “The Outsider”?

Answer

What is Meursault’s idea of an afterlife in “The Outsider”? [NU: 2018]

Albert Camus’s (1913–1960) “The Outsider” (1942) shows life as meaningless and absurd. The hero Meursault lives in Algiers. He does not believe in God or heaven. His idea of the afterlife comes through his trial, prison life, and last meeting with the Chaplain.

The Magistrate and Religion: After the murder of the Arab, Meursault is sent to prison. In one meeting, the Magistrate shows him a crucifix. He asks him to believe in God. But Meursault refuses calmly. He says, 

“I didn’t believe in God.”

His rejection shocks the Magistrate. Society cannot accept a man who does not believe in heaven. This scene shows Meursault’s clear denial of any afterlife.

The Chaplain in Prison: In prison at Algiers, Meursault waits for execution. The Chaplain comes to console him. He speaks of eternal life after death. Meursault listens but grows angry. He says,

“A life in which I can remember this life on earth.”

He shouts that there is no God. He seizes the Chaplain and cries out that life ends with death. For him, there is no paradise, no afterlife, only silence. This meeting proves his total rejection of religion.

Acceptance of Death as Truth: At the end, Meursault looks at the night sky. He feels calm. He says the world has a gentle indifference. He realizes death is the only truth. There is no afterlife. Yet this thought gives him peace. He accepts death with an open heart. He feels happy because life itself is enough.

Meursault’s idea of the afterlife is very clear. He denies God before the Magistrate. He refuses the Chaplain in prison. He accepts death as natural and final. For him, there is no life beyond death. This truth makes him free.