Albert Camus and The Stranger Adapted from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literatu re/laureates/1957/camus-bio.html

Biography Born November 7, 1913 in Mondovi, Algeria Language preference was French Arabic and Berber official languages of Algeria, but French is often considered a “co-official” language Parents were semi-proletarian (lower class) Enjoyed membership in L'Equipe, an Algerian theatre group, whose “collective creation” Révolte dans les Asturies (1934) was banned for political reasons. Went to France at twenty-five (1938) Joined the resistance movement during the occupation (WWII era) After liberation of France, was a columnist for the political newspaper Combat

Biography Continued In 1947 retired from political journalism Wrote and was involved in plays in 40s and 50s In 1957 he became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, based on essays such as “Le Mythe de Sisyphe” (“The Myth of Sisyphus,” 1942) and novels including L'Étranger (The Stranger or The Outsider, 1942), La Peste (The Plague, 1946) and L'Homme Revolte (The Rebel, 1951). Died January 4, 1960 in an automobile accident

Writing Influences and Style His origin in Algeria and experiences there in the thirties were dominating influences in thought and work Family’s social status caused an early attachment to intellectual circles of strongly revolutionary tendencies, with a deep interest in philosophy

Writing Influence and Style Cont. Described himself as pessimistic (surprise!) about the human condition, yet he ardently sought a positive solution to the “absurdist position” that life is meaningless. The “absurdist position” is, in Camus’s words, the acceptance of “the total absence of hope, which has nothing to do with despair[;] a continual refusal, which must not be confused with renouncement[;] and a conscious dissatisfaction.” In other words, it’s the conflict between the human tendency to seek value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any

L'Étranger or The Stranger Written in 1942 Its themes and outlooks are often cited as examples of existentialism However, Camus did not consider himself an existentialist Its content explores determinism, nihilism, naturalism, and stoicism. Determinism: the concept that events, to a large degree, are determined by prior states of existence Nihilism: the idea that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value Naturalism: the belief that natural laws are the governing structure and behavior of the natural universe Stoicism: the concept of development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions Yay depression!

L'Étranger or The Stranger Cont. The story illustrates much of this “absurdist position” as it is about a man who serves as the nauseated victim of the absurd orthodoxy of habit and who is later tempted by despair, hope, and salvation Themes of the Story: The irrationality of the universe The meaninglessness of human life The importance of the physical world Free will Social segregation

L'Étranger or The Stranger Cont. Motifs (Key Topics, Subjects, Ideas, etc.): Decay and death Watching and observation Symbols: Sun / Light / Heat The courtroom The crucifix