Notes on "The Stranger"

Overview

• Author: Albert Camus
• Theme: The absurdity of life and the indifference of the universe.

Part 1: Events Leading to Meursault's Arrest

Chapter 1

• Meursault is indifferent to his mother's death.
• Travels to attend her funeral; rejects the funeral director's offer to view the body.
• Keeps vigil, smokes and drinks coffee with the funeral director, viewed as disrespectful.
• Learns about Thomas Perez, an acquaintance of his mother, who later faints at the funeral.

Chapter 2

• Back in Algiers: Meursault thinks about his boss's reaction to his absence.
• He goes to the beach, meets Marie, and they spend the night together.
• Wakes up to find Marie gone; spends the morning people-watching.

Chapter 3

• Returns to work as a shipping clerk.
• Has lunch with friend Emmanuel; sees Salamano with his dog and later Raymond.
• Raymond invites Meursault for dinner, shares his story of beating his mistress.
• Raymond asks Meursault to write a letter to his mistress to lure her back, which Meursault agrees to despite its harmful intent.

Chapter 4

• Marie asks Meursault if he loves her; he says he does not.
• Witnesses a fight involving Raymond and a policeman slapping Raymond.
• Raymond asks Meursault to be a witness in his defense; he agrees.
• Salamano is distraught over his lost dog but later cries at home.

Chapter 5

• Friends invite Meursault and Marie to the beach.
• Meursault is offered a promotion but shows no ambition; his boss is frustrated.
• Marie proposes marriage; Meursault nonchalantly accepts.
• He sees a woman flipping through radio channels and follows her briefly.
• Salamano discusses his relationship with his dog.

Chapter 6

• At the beach, the group encounters trouble with a group of Arabs.
• Raymond gets slashed; returns with a gun.
• Meursault shoots one of the Arabs after being threatened; shoots him four more times.

Part 2: The Trial

Chapter 1

• Meursault is in jail; lawyer and judge scrutinize his character.
• Judge calls him "Mr. Antichrist" due to his lack of belief in God.

Chapter 2

• Marie visits but is barred from further visits due to their unmarried status.
• Meursault reflects on his past pleasures while adjusting to jail life.
• He finds a story about a mother and daughter who kill their family member and commit suicide.

Chapter 3

• The trial begins; Meursault's lack of emotion is scrutinized.
• Funeral director testifies about Meursault's indifference during the vigil.
• Thomas Perez mentions his own grief overshadowing Meursault.
• Prosecution highlights the start of Meursault's relationship with Marie right after the funeral.

Chapter 4

• Prosecution condemns Meursault as a societal menace; demands death penalty.
• Meursault's motive for killing the Arab is questioned; he awkwardly cites the sun.
• Found guilty and sentenced to death.

Chapter 5

• Post-sentencing, Meursault experiences mixed feelings.
• He contemplates the nature of execution and the morality involved.
• The chaplain tries to convert him; Meursault rejects religion vehemently.
• The novel concludes with Meursault waiting for execution, reflecting on the absurdity of life.