Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Emotions are to be shown...

The Stranger

Ch 5-6 (pgs. 40 through 59, end of Part I)


For the first time since the novel started the reader gets to witness some sort of emotion or at least a reaction from Meursault ! Towards the end of the fifth chapter, we can see some sort of opening up by Meursault's character. He lets out all his anger, frustration, and resentment on the Arab that has been following Raymond around. I think that all the emotions and sensations he got before the shooting came as a result of all his indifference previously shown throughout the novel. It's as if everything has been bottled up for so long that it finally had to explote and be shown in one way or other.

In my opinion, emotions have to be let out sooner rather than later. It's a terrible vice to keep them hidden because eventually they will torment to the point of eating you alive. If you don't let them out, then you will never be able to deal with them, yet alone learn to live with them. In order to accept them as what they are, you must accept that they are happening to you. It's quite normal to have emotions, every human being has them. The only difference is that some people are really good at showing them and others are really good at hiding them.

The release of the trigger symbolizes probably a drastic change in Meursault's personality; it can be some sort of foreshadowing into what the second part of the book will be like and how Meursault's attitude towards emotions might change. In connection with this, Chapter 6 centers mostly on Meursault for the first time in the novel which can help us with the conclusion that Meursault's character may take a drastic turn in the second part. Camus always tries to avoid describing too much about Mersault or his life, yet overzealously deals with everyone surrounding him. This sudden change in writing perspective is critical is my assumption of possible foreshadowing.

Relating to a previous post: P. 41 "When I was a student, I had lots of ambitions like that. But when I had to give up on my studies I learned very quickly that none of it really mattered."
--Camus is clearly making reference to his own life once again.

4 comments:

Paula Aparicio said...

I totally agree with your comment about the importance of expressing your feelings as well as that not everyone does it. I would only add that when feelings are expressed, we have to assume the consequences of doing so and of not hurting anyone's feelings.

Maria Paola Amezquita said...

It is hard to understand how someone could act with such coldness towards his mothers death. I agree with the fact that sooner or later you need to express your feelings and let loose your emotios. But at the same time I also understand that emotons are dificult to get out and it´s sometimes easier to have them only for ourselfs. As a matter of fact I sometimes decide to keep some stuff to myself, maybe for protection and thats what Meursault is probably doing.

Andrew Clarkson said...

daniela...as we all know one of the topics that are most dsicussed about the starnger is the cold personality the main character has. I theink you made your point clear and are ready to go more profound in the story...and dondt forget to talk about what we mentioned in the literary circel about the aouthors life related with the book

J. Tangen said...

I'm not sure we know so much about Camus himself. Do you?