Albert Camus
introduces early in the novel how Mersault is withdrawn from society, and how
he struggles to come to peace with himself. Despite showing any emotion behind Maman’s
death, and despite murdering the Arab, Mersault is characterized as an
unemotional being throughout the entire novel. Even though Marie attempts to
alter Mersault’s emotional state by suggesting marriage, she inevitably fails to
provoke his basic emotions. Camus applies this phenomenon by applying Mersault’s
lack of emotion in various situations. As Mersault is familiarizing himself in the
courtroom he expresses how he feels separated and distinct while being in a
room full of people.
“I
noticed then that everyone was waving and exchanging greetings and talking, as
if they were in a club where people are glad to find themselves among others
from the same world. That is how I explained to myself the strange impression I
had of being odd man out, a kind of intruder” (Camus 84).
Unlike previous incidents that merely
show Mersault’s isolation from individual and societal points of view, Camus
introduces the first instance where Mersault is aware of his isolation, and how
this isolation unfortunately haunts him. The fact that Mersault is ultimately
aware of his isolation and withdrawal suggests how, over time, Mersault will
evolve into a new individual by learning from his past experiences.
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