The Truthfulness of Meursault in The Stranger Essay

Meursault is truthful to himself and others throughout The Stranger. Unlike most, he doesn’t feel it necessary to lie in order to make others feel better. He is truthful, regardless of whether or not the truth may hurt. For example, in chapter four Marie asked Meursault if he loved her. Instead of lying to her or giving a vague answer Meursault told her that he probably didn’t love her, but it wasn’t important anyway. Meursault is truthful, therefore not only is his guilt dealt with at the murder trial, but his personal views and opinions come out as well. In fact, during the trial his lack of emotion about his mother’s death seemed to be of more importance than the murder he committed. From this it seems that truth is a crime and†¦show more content†¦Despite Meursault’s imprisonment and imminent beheading, or perhaps because of it, he is genuinely happy. This suggests to the reader that truth brings happiness. 2) Meursault, talking about prison stated â€Å"it was one of Maman’s ideas . . . that after a while you could get used to anything.† At first Meursault struggled going without women, cigarettes, and nature. During a conversation he had with a guard he said he thought that it was unfair treatment. â€Å"But that’s why you’re in prison. . . .Well yes – freedom, that’s why. They’ve taken away your freedom.† After a while Meursault adjusted to the differences. He learned to sleep as a way to pass the time. He would reminisce on past sexual encounters. He would think back to all the objects he had in his room, where they were, and details on them. â€Å"I realized then that a man who had lived only a day could live a hundred years in prison. He would have enough memories to keep him from being bored.† Despite his physical imprisonment Meursault still had his mental freedom. He was able to recount past experiences and let his mind wander. Meursault was able to still think his own thoughts and have his own opinions because these are things which every man is granted that shall never be taken from him. 3) On a lazy Sunday evening, Meursault thinks, â€Å"It occurred to me that anyway another Sunday was over, that Maman was buried now, that IShow MoreRelatedMeursault Is An Absurdism1499 Words   |  6 Pagessurrounding society. The Stranger, a translated novella by Albert Camus, takes place in the early 1940s and revolves around Meursault, a French Algerian. Developed through a presentation of his own thoughts, it grows clear that Meursault is an absurdist. He believes that his actions lack significance, refuses to analyze himself beyond his physical needs, and does not find logical meaning within the surrounding world. As a result of these components of his character, Meursault repeatedly fails to adopt