Lecture Notes: The Stranger, Part 1 Chapter 2

Key Events

• Mersault's Forgetfulness:

  • Mersault forgets it's Saturday, reflecting his detachment from social norms.
  • His boss is annoyed with him for taking time off for his mother's funeral, implying it disrupts work more than it affects Mersault emotionally.

• Meeting Marie:

  • Mersault decides to go swimming and meets Marie, a former coworker.
  • They experience a strong sexual chemistry.

• Day with Marie:

  • They watch a movie together.
  • Marie is surprised by Mersault’s black tie, indicating mourning, but does not question it.
  • They become intimate and go to Mersault's place to have sex.

• Sunday Realization:

  • Mersault wakes up alone as Marie leaves to visit her aunt.
  • He realizes it's Sunday, a day he dislikes.

• Avoiding Social Interactions:

  • Chooses not to eat at his usual restaurant to avoid questions about the funeral.
  • Spends the day in seclusion, reading, observing, and avoiding interactions.

• Evening Observations:

  • Observes the street life from his balcony.
  • Notices the empty streetcars and the hustle of soccer fans.
  • Consumes cigarettes and chocolate while watching the world go by.

• End of the Day Reflection:

  • Mersault notes the day is over, and life remains unchanged.
  • Realizes his mother is buried and tomorrow is a return to work routine.

Themes

• Meaninglessness of Life:

  • Mersault’s indifferent attitude towards life events, including his mother’s funeral, emphasizes a theme of existential detachment.
  • His actions suggest a life devoid of intrinsic meaning.

• Physical and Sensory Experience:

  • The relationship with Marie highlights Mersault’s focus on physical sensations over emotional connections.
  • Describes sensory details like the sky, eyes, and Marie’s heartbeat.

• Sunday as a Symbol:

  • Mersault's dislike for Sundays symbolizes his discomfort with inactivity and introspection.
  • Reflects on the persistent changes in nature, like the sunset, yet feels unchanged internally.

Character Analysis

• Mersault:

  • Indifferent and emotionally detached from societal norms.
  • Lives in the moment with little regard for past or future implications.
  • His interactions are more physical than emotional, illustrating a disconnect from deeper meanings.

• Marie:

  • Represents a physical connection in Mersault’s life.
  • Does not press Mersault about his mourning attire, reflecting her acceptance of his detachment.

Literary Devices

• Symbolism:

  • The sun symbolizes an antagonist pressing Mersault into action and discomfort.
  • Sundays symbolize his existential angst and the mundanity of life.

• Descriptive Imagery:

  • Use of sensory details to describe Mersault’s experiences highlights his focus on the physical world.