Question

The Stranger by Albert Camus:

Describe the main character and that person's attitude toward religion. Refer to specifics. Give your personal view of this character and reasons for this view.

Describe one scene that especially brings out the issue of religion or belief. What is being said: about people? About religion? What else?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Meursault is the lead character in this book. In a way, he is more like an antagonist because he has helped a pimp, aided and abetted in the physical abuse of a woman, feels apathy towards the woman who covets him, is indifferent towards his deceased mother and also a remorseless murderer.

This character comes across as feckless as best because of his lack of compassion. Furthermore, he offers his assistance to a gruesome and abusive man. Meursault does not believe in God and it is evident after the magistrate forces him to look at the crucifix and feel some remorse. Meursault’s absolute refusal towards the magistrate’s beckoning and the chaplain’s request before capital punishment reflects his loathing towards religion and a higher power.

This is a story where an apathetic individual is being forced to believe in God. However, this is not really a story that advocates religion. Embedded within the layers of the story is the truth that a human must accept his “smallness” in this vast universe. This is something that inculcates a feeling of humility in people. This humility eventually translates to kindness and compassion for others. For some individuals, a belief in God is an essential tool to be aware of one’s insignificance in the grand scheme of things. For others, it is a belief in a high power, while some even experience the grandeur of science to realise that we are all just a bunch of atoms. Either way, this story beckons this indifferent individual to believe in something that is grander than he is, so that he may experience humility and compassion.