Essay on Camus' "The Stranger"

In Albert Camus’ The Stranger, the author conveys his existential beliefs through the conflict of his main character, Mersault. This conflict is grounded in Mersault’s difference from societal norms, hence, the “stranger”. He feels isolated because of his abnormal behavior. His actions and choices stem from his view on life, which he believes is meaningless. He reacts by withdrawing from emotion and living his life unconsciously. The resolution of this conflict reveals Mersault’s convictions and forces the reader to judge him.
Mersault believes that the universe is a collection of random, indifferent events. He reacts to the absurdity of this existence by feeling neither pain nor joy, by unconsciously accepting the life that he has no control over. He show...