Many readers were confused by Meursault’s emotional disconnection when Albert Camus published The Stranger in 1942. His absurdist viewpoints confused the masses who yearned to find meaning behind their actions. Meursault wasn’t just misunderstood by readers. Camus’ other characters, too, did not understand Meursault’s philosophy. The Stranger by Camus is a good title for Meursault. He is separated from society, his friends and even himself, because of a “glass curtain”.
Meursault becomes increasingly apparent throughout the book, that no one understands him – not even his closest of friends. Salamano tells Meursault that he “must be sad since Maman’s death… he knew.. [Meursault] really loved her” (45). Meursault has shown no emotion or signs of sorrow since the death of his mother. Meursault did not know the exact age of his mother when he replied to his boss, “about 60” (25). Meursault’s lack of empathy and coldness is evident to even those who know him the best. Salamano for example, who believes he knows him well, is wrong in his judgments. He tries to impose her own interpretation of events as an explanation of Meursault’s behavior. Camus used a technique that could be compared to “glass partitions”. Like a window, people on either side can see what’s happening on the opposite, but the real meaning is often lost. Salamano is able to see Meursault attending his mother’s burial, but he interprets this incorrectly. Marie Cardona’s proposal of marriage shows that she does not really understand Meursault.
Marie asked me that evening if I would marry her. . . I said that to me it made no sense and that she could choose to do so if desired. She then asked me if she loved me. It didn’t mean much, and I was probably not in love with her. “Then why do you want to marry me?” she asked. It didn’t seem to matter to me and I told her we could be married if it was something she wanted. (41)
Marie is hesitant to suggest marriage, which is arguably the most important decision in someone’s life. Marie, who is his closest friend, doesn’t seem to get him. This exchange shows how Meursault’s closest friends are unable to understand him.
Meursault, too, is an unknown to most of the society. Meursault looks out of his window and observes the street below as if he were a god. Meursault watches the street below from his window, a god-like figure observing without attachment. He never attempts to engage with people, or even children, who are “lagging behind” on their walk. Meursault’s physicality is another way he is an outsider to society. Camus was translated to “The Foreigner”, and Meursault’s title in Algiers is the same. He is not attached to any land or place. It is evident when he refuses a promotion at a new job. Meursault has no motivation to work, and his boss is annoyed. Meursault rejects success and prosperity, which is what society expects. The jury convicted him because of his rejection of the “normal” values he was accustomed to. He is condemned for rejecting “normal ideals” by the society, which cements his status as “the Stranger”.
Meursault has become “a stranger” in his own eyes. Another “glass wall” is visible in that he only sees his actions on the surface. He can only see himself from a distance, without any understanding of what he is doing. He never talks about his emotions or feelings, but only the physical facts. He is shocked to see that his physical appearance was different from what he had thought. Meursault’s tinplate is astonished to see “[he] smiling and [his] reflection] had the sad, stern look”. In addition, Meursault discovers very soon that the voice heard by him was his voice. Meursault is literally a stranger and does not recognize his own face. He could be the most lonely person on the planet.
Camus, whose title The Stranger describes Meursault perfectly, is not only accurate, but also a great way to describe his inability to connect with anyone. It is his “glass wall” that filters out all emotions and focuses on the observed truths. This makes Meursault an outsider to everyone, including friends, society, even himself. Meursault can’t connect with anyone and shows no empathy.
