The World Created By Camus
The world created by Camus
The issue of Camus's intent in writing The Stranger is a controversial one. On one hand, the text could hold no meaning. On the other hand, it may hold a deep meaning of Camus's view on the world. Consequently, I believe that The Stranger goes beyond the realm of an ordinary novel and Camus did in fact write The Stranger to convey his issues with the world and society. However, at first glance, the novel may not convey to the reader a very clear message about life or a deep philosophical revelation. But when you're looking deeper much appears beyond the text; this is where one's own interpretation comes in. Under my interpretation, in The Stranger, Camus creates a world based on irrationality and indifference in order to argue that our world is absurd. The world of Camus is documented in The Stranger by the crucifix and Meursault.
In a controversial fashion Camus takes aim and questions religion. During the investigation Meursault tells the Magistrate not "to dwell on it (the killing), because it really didn't matter." Meursaults statement triggers the Magistrate with a crucifix in hand to question his belief in God, "he cut me offÂ…drawing himself up to his full height and asking me if I believed in God. I said no." (Camus 69) When Meursault rejects the notion of the crucifix, he is rejecting religion and meaningful life. The crucifix used by the examining magistrate symbolizes religion, but more specifically Christianity (Notebook). According to the Christian belief the crucifix represents the self sacrifice of Jesus in human form to save all of man kind from their sins so that they can one day enter Heaven (O'Toole). This is evident by the words of the examining magistrate toward Meursault, "I am a Christian, I ask him(Jesus) to forgive you your sins. How can you not believe he suffered for you?"(Camus 69). With Meursaults rejection of the magistrate's notion, he is rejecting a belief in Heaven....
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