stranger body 1

In his life he has few relationships that really resonate with him. In his life his two most important woman are his mother and girlfriend, just like any other man. However, In his relationships he is unusually impersonal. At his mothers funeral he can hardly keep his eyes open. (quote). His physical impulses seem to mask the emotion one should experience from the death of their mother. Moreover, with Marie it is very evident that he does have feelings for her and that he does indeed enjoy spending time with her. He describes his impulses with her and how much he enjoys kissing her: (quote) However when it comes to romance and love he is at a loss for words. He does not understand love nor does he know how to interpret it. It is apparent that he only knows what he is physically feeling or observing. It may be that when he gets these physical sensations that they are in fact emotions. There are times where he misses his mom but doesn't quite seem to know why. (quote about the dog). He does love his mother and Marie he is just confuses his emotions with physical sensations and is incapable of analyzing his own feelings. 

The stranger intro

Meursault is a man of a few words, yet our insight to his thoughts reveal a very observant man who's physical feelings consume his emotions. He is able to recognize emotions in other people and is very keen to their senses. However, when reflecting he seems almost numb to his own emotions. In his relationship with Marie it is clear that he desires her and enoys being with her, but when she asks him about love and marriage he does not seem to understand. This is the difference between meursault and others, he is able to recognize emotion and even have an understanding, however when analizing his relationship with Marie and his murder of the Arab it would appear that he does not truly experience emotions for himself. It would appear that in the most tying moment of his life rather than experiencing emotional distress he focuses on physical discomforts which seem to occupy his thoughts. They occupy his thoughts so much so that it seems as if he displaced his emotions all together.

Physical vs emotional

I want to focus on the three most important entente which include the funeral, the killing, and the trial. With these examples I'd like to expand on how during this critical moments he focuses on trivial things. He is very observant, he gives no explanation for his actions, he is blunt, and very confused. He is very good at observing what is around him but in incapable of observing himself and analyzing his actions

Stranger essay idea

I'd like to disgues the lack of emotions yet very keen sense of physical sensations. He can understand emotion and recognizes it in other people however, his physical feelings are so powerful that its almost as if he doesn't have any personal feelings. He's in touch with his outer self but not so much with his inner soul. He's become so preoccupied with analyzing other people that he has forgotten to analyze himself. This is further illustrated when he reflects on why he killed the Arab. Though this could have been a very traumatic experience his focus was not on taking the life of this man but rather he was concentrated on the sweat on his brow and the color of the sand.

Translators note

An idea prevalent in the translators note is the words unsaid. Throughout the text Meursault's attitutude is very non chalant and unsympathetic to other people's misfortune and emotion in general.  "she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn’t mean anything but that I didn’t think so. She looked sad" in this passage Meursault comments on her looks but gives no real though to her emotion of what love even means. It is evident that he enjoys her company but it is unclear whether or not he has any real emotion toward her. When he does not say I love you back it is a prime example of the idea illustrated in the translators note which connotes his lack of communication. Something's are better left unsaid but in this instance his lack of communication does not seem to be for the good of others, rather it would appear that he simply does not understand emotion or what it is like to have emotions. Even with his mother, whom he should have the greatest affection and affinity towards, he seems utterly detached and emotionless.

The stranger

The short sentences and excessive use of narration coincidence with Meursault's detachment to humanity. There is hardly any direct dialogue and when there is it is rare that Meursault responds with more than one word. This demonstrates his inability to connect with other people. "I washed my hands. I really like doing this at lunchtime. I don’t enjoy it so much in the evening, because the roller towel you use is soaked through: one towel has to last all day". Many times it seems that the narrator stresses details that are minimal and unrelated to the story line however this small details demonstrate Meursault's detachment to humanity and lack of concern for others. These statements make it appear as if he is incapable of relating to people.