Plastered into the unwritten constitution of society is the innate need for reason and conformity to commonly accepted standards. From a young age people have role models which exemplify who they wish to transform into. When someone goes against this involuntarily adopted policy, they are seen as different. In The Stranger by Albert Camus, the reader is exposed to the judgments and differences of the main character, Meursault, from society. By Camus’ usage of stylistic techniques and symbolism, Meursault is characterized through the toils and setting around the life of a stranger.
Beginning his novel, Camus uses the absence of a name to introduce the reader to the story. In the first sentence, the reader is introduced to the novel by the death …show more content…
Whether it be the “blue overalls” or the “whiteness of bandages” Camus uses color that Meursault observes as a method to express the emotions we neglect to see in Meursault, leading to encounters which define Meursault (7,58). Most commonly seen by Meursault is the color red. Represented by the color of red is the anger of Meursault, evident in times of passion and rage. When Meursault sees Marie, she is wearing a “red and white striped dress” and since Meursault doesn’t feel an emotional connection to Marie, the red is symbolic of the lust that their relationship thrives on (34). This is evident by the fact that Meursault neglects to talk about Marie’s history or personality, the only thing ever mentioned is her “firm breasts” and “tan face” leading to the superficial, passion filled Meursault (34). Also, in the courtroom passage, three judges enter the room, two in black “one in red” and the prosecutor dressed in red as well (85) . This observation of color can be viewed as the anger Meursault has towards society. Society is represented by the head judge and prosecutor, both of whom wear red to show Meursault’s exacerbation and anger towards everyone. For most of the court, everyone is questioning his actions and when he gives a response such as: “it just happened that way,” he is met with a series of questions that attempt to try to understand who he …show more content…
Deviated from the normal population, the setting surrounding Meursault involving weather provokes hyper acute reactions that characterize Meursault as one with absurd thinking, tendencies, and behaviors. Colors around Meursault show the symbolism of emotion he is unable to convey. Minor characters act as representations of what Meursault sees as societal flaws, and the style of Camus using diction and syntax develops the tone of Meursault. In the end, by the combination of all these elements, Camus is able to create a character void of societal standards and in that we see the emergence of a
Beginning his novel, Camus uses the absence of a name to introduce the reader to the story. In the first sentence, the reader is introduced to the novel by the death …show more content…
Whether it be the “blue overalls” or the “whiteness of bandages” Camus uses color that Meursault observes as a method to express the emotions we neglect to see in Meursault, leading to encounters which define Meursault (7,58). Most commonly seen by Meursault is the color red. Represented by the color of red is the anger of Meursault, evident in times of passion and rage. When Meursault sees Marie, she is wearing a “red and white striped dress” and since Meursault doesn’t feel an emotional connection to Marie, the red is symbolic of the lust that their relationship thrives on (34). This is evident by the fact that Meursault neglects to talk about Marie’s history or personality, the only thing ever mentioned is her “firm breasts” and “tan face” leading to the superficial, passion filled Meursault (34). Also, in the courtroom passage, three judges enter the room, two in black “one in red” and the prosecutor dressed in red as well (85) . This observation of color can be viewed as the anger Meursault has towards society. Society is represented by the head judge and prosecutor, both of whom wear red to show Meursault’s exacerbation and anger towards everyone. For most of the court, everyone is questioning his actions and when he gives a response such as: “it just happened that way,” he is met with a series of questions that attempt to try to understand who he …show more content…
Deviated from the normal population, the setting surrounding Meursault involving weather provokes hyper acute reactions that characterize Meursault as one with absurd thinking, tendencies, and behaviors. Colors around Meursault show the symbolism of emotion he is unable to convey. Minor characters act as representations of what Meursault sees as societal flaws, and the style of Camus using diction and syntax develops the tone of Meursault. In the end, by the combination of all these elements, Camus is able to create a character void of societal standards and in that we see the emergence of a