The Stranger

Summary

The Stranger is a novel by French writer Albert Camus, published in 1942. The main theme of the work is the absurdity of life and the protagonist's alienation from society. The story is narrated by Meursault, an ordinary Algerian clerk who lives in the moment and refuses to adhere to conventional moral norms and rules. His life takes a drastic turn after his mother's death and the accidental killing of an Arab on the beach, leading to his arrest and trial. The court, however, focuses less on the murder itself and more on Meursault's character and worldview, his indifference, and rejection of societal norms. Ultimately, Meursault is sentenced to death not so much for the crime but for his refusal to play by society's rules, his alienation, and emotional detachment. The Stranger explores themes of identity, individualism, and existence, expressing the philosophy of the absurd that permeates all of Camus's work.