Albert Camus the stranger quotes for essay

quotes with page #s and explanations/theme relations for essays

“maman died today. or yesterday maybe. i don’t know.” (1)

introduces meursault’s emotional detachment early on and is central to the book’s themes about death and the meaningless nature of life

“no, not at all.” I thought what' he’d been saying was interesting and made sense.” (8)

again, displays meursault’s stance on death and his belief that it’s bound to happen (the only certain thing in life is death) as well as the lack of validity there is in social norms

“it was inhuman and oppressive” (15)

quote abt meursault’s sensory descriptors and an explanation for this drive/what leads him to do any unnecessary action

“there’s no way out”

one cannot escape death

“it isn’t my fault”

reflects Meursault's detachment from responsibility due to his disbelief in societal expectations and norms. everything is out of his control so he cannot be in the wrong

“that, really, nothing had changed.”

bc of meursault’s belief that life is pointless, death has no meaning nor effect on the world; the world continues regardless

“they look as if they belong to the same species, and yet they hate each other.” (27)

yes the quote is directed at the dog, but it ties into the themes of social alienation for being an “other”

“one life was as good as another and that I wasn’t dissatisfied with mine.” (41)

outwardly perceived as laziness or him lacking drive by his boss, but this is just his perspective on life: if he is not suffering then he shouldn’t change what he does, there won’t be a better outcome possibly worse instead if he makes a change. he likes his patterned living because he is in control and knows what to expect. making changes to your life doesn’t make much good in the long run as life doesn’t have purpose nor meaning so you shouldn’t try to force it.

“the trigger gave”

because of his nihilistic stance on life, he unintentionally absolves himself of responsibility for the bad things that happen to people around him; both (his) passivity and action has repercussions

“do you want my life to be meaningless?” (69)

meursault’s life perspective does not involve religion because religion forces purpose onto you (God) which directly contradicts his beliefs about life and the world. additionally, meursault’s atheism offends the magistrate as it contradicts his beliefs about life. God gives him a purpose and as meursault has no belief in God, he has no purpose and the magistrate sees this as a shortcoming as a religious person who must ensure all make it to heaven.

“it wasn’t like that there was more to it.”

said by Marie in court, it encapsulates the dangers that come with not being like the rest of society and not being understood by them. the court does not understand his motives and thus punish him for his character

“an abyss threatening to swallow up society.” (101)

a quote on meursault’s character; society only tolerates otherness to a certain extent, meursault is not tolerated as he is not only a killer but an atheist, meaning he does not look to a god for forgiveness or in the court’s eyes has no chance of redemption and has no morals

“he was living like a dead man” (121)

meursault knows the only guaranteed thing in life is to die, that is everyone’s purpose at the end. the chaplain is trying to force purpose onto him and therefore lives as if he is already deceased.