The Stranger by Albert Camus - Comprehensive Review Guide

Vocabulary flashcards for 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus, covering key events, characters, themes, and philosophical concepts.

Meursault

The protagonist of 'The Stranger,' characterized by his unconventional response to social expectations, indifference, and focus on physical sensations.

The Funeral (The Stranger)

The opening event where Meursault receives a telegram about his mother's death, takes a bus to Marengo, and displays no conventional signs of grief, establishing his indifference.

Meursault's Indifference

A key theme established at his mother's funeral and continued through his relationships, where he shows a detachment from emotional responses and social norms.

Marie Cardona

Meursault's lover, whom he meets the day after his mother's funeral. She represents normal emotional expectations and physical pleasure.

Raymond Sintès

Meursault's neighbor, rumored to be a pimp, who involves Meursault in his conflict with his Arab mistress, leading to the murder.

Moral Indifference (Meursault)

Meursault's lack of moral consideration, as shown when he helps Raymond write a letter to his mistress and testifies for him without judging his actions.

The Beach Incident

The confrontation on the beach where Meursault, Marie, and Raymond encounter Raymond's mistress's brother and his group, culminating in Meursault shooting an Arab man.

The Sun

A recurring symbol representing a hostile or indifferent natural force that triggers decisive action, overwhelms Meursault, and is beyond human control.

The Murder (The Stranger)

Meursault's act of shooting an Arab man once, and then four more times into the dead body, seemingly prompted by physical discomfort and the blazing sun rather than malice.

Meursault's Trial

Proceedings where the prosecution focuses on Meursault's behavior at his mother's funeral and his relationship with Marie, portraying his character as 'criminal' rather than focusing solely on the murder itself.

Verdict (Meursault)

Meursault is found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to public execution by guillotine, largely influenced by his perceived 'moral' crimes.

Times in Prison (Meursault)

Meursault's adaptation to prison life, where he initially struggles with loss but learns to cope through memory exercises, loses his sense of time, and finds he can live with very little.

Absurdism

A philosophical position stating that human existence is fundamentally absurd due to the conflict between humanity's need for meaning and the universe's lack of inherent meaning.

The Absurd Man

A concept embodied by Meursault, referring to an individual who lives without appealing to higher meaning, accepts the universe's indifference, and finds freedom in this acceptance.

Rejection of False Hope

Meursault's philosophical stance, involving his dismissal of comforting illusions like religion, social conventions, abstract emotions, and future-oriented thinking.

Authentic Existence

Living honestly in the present moment, accepting death's inevitability, refusing comforting illusions, and embracing physical sensations, regardless of social cost.

The Gentle Indifference of the World

Meursault's final realization that the universe doesn't care about human concerns, and that this indifference can be liberating rather than terrifying, allowing for genuine freedom.

The Chaplain (The Stranger)

A character who persistently tries to get Meursault to turn to God while in prison, embodying the false comfort and institutional religion that Meursault violently rejects.

Colonial Context (The Stranger)

The setting of French Algeria, highlighting the complex relationship between French colonizers and the Arab population, where Arabs are unnamed and the legal system favors French citizens.

Narrative Voice (The Stranger)

First-person limited perspective characterized by short, declarative sentences, an absence of emotional language, and a focus on physical details, creating a present-tense feel.

Minimalism (Literary Technique)

A stripped-down prose style used in 'The Stranger' that mirrors Meursault's worldview by focusing on essential details and lacking elaborate descriptions or emotional language.

Key Quote 1 (The Stranger)

'Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don't know.' - The opening line, establishing Meursault's indifferent tone and lack of precision regarding emotional events.

Key Quote 2 (The Stranger)

'I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.' - Meursault's final realization, signifying his acceptance of the absurd condition and finding peace in meaninglessness.

Alienation (Theme in The Stranger)

A major theme referring to Meursault's isolation from society due to his different values and inability to conform to conventional emotional and moral expectations.

Physical vs. Emotional (Theme in The Stranger)

A major theme highlighting the primacy of sensory experience and physical sensations over emotional responses in Meursault's perception and behavior.