The Stranger

Style and Technique

The Stranger by Albert Camus is an existentialist novel written in the first person from the perspective of the protagonist Meursault. The distinctive feature of the work is its concise and restrained style. The language of the book is simple and precise, reflecting the sense of absurdity and alienation the protagonist feels from society. Camus uses short sentences and clear descriptions to create an effect of presence and direct perception of events. The novel features the motif of the sun and heat, which act as symbols of the world's indifference to human fate. The narrative structure is divided into two parts: the first describes Meursault's everyday life, and the second his arrest, trial, and thoughts on the death penalty. The author uses contrast and repetition to emphasize the ideas of absurdity and the protagonist's indifference to social norms.