Themes in The Stranger by Camus
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Themes in The Stranger by Camus
The Stranger by Albert Camus was published in 1942 in its original French, and four years later, in English. With over ten million readers since its publication, it is one of the most recognized works of existential fiction, along with Sartre’s Nausea. The Stranger tells the story of Meursault, who his convicted and sentenced for a murder. Camus uses this character to demonstrate what he called “the absurd man,” someone who has recognized the absurdity of human existence and accepts this belief to the death.
Alice Kaplan’s “Looking for the Stranger”
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/...
Oliver Gloag’s Introduction
www.amazon.ca/Albert-Camus-Ve...
Albert Camus’s collected essays
www.amazon.ca/Lyrical-Critica...
I have to vote for Stuart Gilbert's translation as the best one. Read the last paragraph of the book in Gilbert's translation and compare it to all others. It kicks ass. Also, while I appreciate the philosophical aspects of the novel, I love it because it's beautiful--and I don't find myself that much different from Mersault. We all have philosophies that guide us through our lives (consciously or not) and I'm happy Camus' approach made him such an amazing artist as a fiction writer. It's fiction first, philosophy only incidentally. Mersualt's decisions may express a philosphy but only as much as Ishmael's decisions in Moby Dick (or any other number of examples) expresses a philosophy. Love hearing you talk about The Stranger.
I have read the Gilbert translation, and yes, I do agree. I just read that ending, and would say it is better. I kind of regret making such a subjective statement, and was really just going off of statistics, and what I have seen, haha. And you are right--in fact, I just had a discussion with someone about this very thing. As I continue to discuss this novel, I am going to have to keep this in mind, and not focus on one or two strict aspects--it is a beautiful work of fiction by a real artist before anything else. Thank you very much. 😊
The one big thing that bothered me about Camus, back in my 'forced reading' school days is that his work never translated well to Cliff notes.😯
Hahahah! Those little black and yellow Cliffsnotes books were pretty helpful back in the day 😂
@@attention5638 Well, I ended up liking Camus but, back then, I didn't sit well with being made to read him. The process of discovery gives life meaning and excitement.😀
Completely agree. There is so much I read in school that I hated, but really like now. The surest way to get someone to dislike something is to force them into it.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes. Whilst with other channels, probably particularly mine, it's easy to just switch off and listen to what the content creator is providing I feel that your videos require active listening. My brain most definitely needs to be switched on.
At least your reviews are entertaining and funny. I am neither of those things haha. I also have a feeling that these are the kind of videos many people actually turn their brain off for. 🤣😂 As always, thanks for checking this out, Mason, hope all is well with you! 😊
Excellent video! I love how you defined all those terms. I have an awful true story that comes to mind every time I hear references to The Stranger and Existentialism. There was a time when I was much younger that I had a crush on a very energetic, funny, charismatic guy. He would flirt with me, but every time I approached him about dating, he would suddenly become very stoic and say, “I’m an existentialist.” He then told me that if I read, The Stranger, I would understand the ‘real’ him. I never read The Stranger, but every time I hear of it, I remember that guy. It seemed like he used that book as an excuse to be emotionally unavailable, and I now find that kind of funny and cliché. 😂 I really loved your discussion here and hope you don’t mind me sharing about that! It just always comes to mind! 😅😄 Wishing you the best with everything! 😊
Hahah that is such a great story! I have a feeling that young man has remained single haha thank you for sharing that! Those stories are always welcome 😊😊
I read this a few months ago. I found it hilarious when mersault is in jail and he wants to hug someone or shake their hand but the other person has no interest and it suddenly dawns on him that it’s probably because he’s a murderer and then he immediately moves on to some other thought.
HAHAH, oh yes! There are many instances of these little absurdist moments. 🤣 Thanks for checking this out! 😊
I have yet to read Camus... but will, eventually. Love how you went through these themes. 😊💙
Thank you so much! 😊His writing can be so beautiful at times. I think you would like him.😊😎
Your explanation of these terms was excellent and a great way to introduce "The Stranger." I am looking forward to your furthur discussions on this novel!
Thank you so much! I still don't know how I am going to go about it all, but I will figure it out haha 😅
I never read that book. But I have been out of school for nearly 30 years. Maybe the reading material changed. Thanks for another great video! I am learning so much! I love hearing your insights!
I never read it in school but I know a lot of people who have 😊😊
Look forward to watching this series, Pae! Your explanations are excellent as always.
Oh! Thank you so much. This novel has been fun to go through 😊😊
I am going to have to reread this one!!! Will come back to the video!
It is a good one, for sure! 🙂😊
This is really informative. The idea that we live in a purposeless world is something not light
However this man tries to put it in a way that through purposelessness we find purpose. I live the philosophy moreso how you interpret it.
Nice work buddy
Thank you so much! And that is right, having no ultimate purpose does not eliminate all value what can have in their lives. As always, thanks for checking this out, and hope all is well!😊😎
I'm looking forward to catching up on the additional videos. These are some interesting concepts, and I have a vague idea of having read this work in an AP lit class in high school... fairly certain everything you discuss will sound new to me and I may have to go back to look at the work again.
It is a really great, short read, but it is packed with so much meaning and room for interpretation. Every time I read it, I get something completely new from it. 😊😊
This was awesome! That was helpful to go through the terminology 🤗
I'm excited for the next one!
Thank you so much, Katrina. It is going to be a difficult task, for sure. But a fun one! 😊
So hyped for this video!! Excellent analysis!
Thank you so much! It is going to be fun getting into the novel, chapter by chapter 😊😎
I have this book for my exams. Damn I got to listen to your every single phoneme utterances.
Oh! That is awesome! I wish I had studied this novel at university! If you have any questions i can answer, let me know!😊😎
yay Pae's video ^^
I really love these videos although it is almost always books I did not read i love how you break and explain things!
Thank you for checking it out! Hope all is well with you!😊
Ok.. further into the video.. not eerie.. very complex . You my friend.. are very smart🥰 I feel like I’m listening to a professor teach the class! Well done!
Ohhh, that was the dream back in the day, but now no longer. But, maybe I can still teach in some capacity.😊😊
All your videos are a gift. Don’t worry about the pace that you deliver them to us.
Thank you so much, James! Hope you are doing well!😊😎
@@attention5638 yeah I am good pal. Just been working a lot. Got a few of your videos on my backlog still. Looking forward to them at some point.
@@thelifeandtimesofjames4273 Work is a good thing! Look forward to seeing more reviews!😊😎
Always learning something new from your videos!!
That is always good to hear! 😊😊 Glad you continue to get something from these! =)
I definitely don't know much about Camus or Existentialism, but this video was really fascinating. And I love the idea of authenticity, the idea that a person should match their beliefs with their actions. I can't stand people who claim to believe one thing and then act entirely differently.
I am completely with you on that. That is a very good reason on why I do not go out in public much, anymore haha 😅
I will continue with You.
I haven't read this. So I really don't know what I'm talking about, but through what I've gleaned so far Though I feel like the Stranger. LoL.
Glad 2 See You back My Friend. 👍😁👍
Hahaha, hopefully, but the end of it, you will not feel like such a stranger to the work itself.😅
@@attention5638 See . I feel stupid now. I have not read it. LoL. I was just going by things You said. LoL
Thanks for this video. Finished the book last week. I have a lot of thoughts.
Oh! That is great to hear. It is a book that will raise a lot of questions. 😊
I like that you went through the terminology. That will be very helpful going forward. The section on authenticity was particularly interesting. Alienation has grown to have such negative connotation, but I think it can help a person grow their own thoughts, ideas and opinions without the influence of groupthink. That can also foster authenticity in the long run, resulting in a more well rounded individual. Great video and discussion as always! 😊
Thank you so much! I thought doing a video like this would be much more beneficial for when I get into the text. And yes, I agree--i didn't realize how little time I spent on "authenticity " until I was editing, i will definitely have to expound on that more. Hah😊😊😎
this is definitely one i want to read, will have to come back and rewatch this once i'm done with it :-D
Yes! I would like to hear what you think about this one. 😊
I think I wasn’t smart enough to read this book when I first did. It’s similar to the feeling that I’m still not based on your info here 🤗
A detailed walkthrough sounds great!
Oooh. Are those Easton Press or maybe Franklin Library collections on the right? (Yes, I squirreled 😂)
Same here! haha. When I first read this short novel, I was completely lost on why it was so highly acclaimed. Other than, there is some really beautiful writing in it. And yes! Those are Easton Press, and a few Franklin! The Ray Bradbury one is signed by him, as well! 😊😊
Another cracking discussion! I'm guessing you'll be doing more Camus discussions? Any idea of the rough order that you're going to do them in so I can make sure I read them before you get to them? :D
Oh, definitely! I will be going through The Stranger for the next few videos. I was thinking, a few chapters at a time. I will be on this one for a bit, for sure. I may do The Fall afterword. 😊
@@attention5638 Then I shall read that one next!
Interesting themes.
The problem with translation begins with the first sentence... Aujourd'hui, maman est morte. Ou peut-être hier, je ne sais pas. How "maman" is translated affects how we see Meursault...if we translate it as "mother" it is too cold and distant, if we translate it as "mom" or "mummy" it sounds too childish.... some translators keep "maman" but using French words in an English translation creates its own problems.
The Cure's song "Killing an Arab" was inspired by L'Étranger.
Look forward to the next video.
Yes! I will be mentioning the troubles with that first sentence next video. I found a really great discussion about it online I will have to link to.
And yes! I wanted to the the Cure song, but my video would be taken down haha but great tune!
This should be quite an interesting series of videos :)
It should be. If it will be or not is another thing. 😅
Hey friend! Ooou stranger sounds eerie
It really does! Haha😅
Waiting for next video
As always another fantastic and educational video 🤗 Some of these concepts might go over my head... but at this point I think I could listen to you read the phone book (are those still a thing?) and still learn something lol🤗
Haha I was wondering the same thing the other day. I don't think phone books are a thing anymore 😂🤣
@@attention5638 Probably not... but I'm still sticking with what I said!😁
So if Camus is basically arguing that nothing matters, why do we link him with absurdism and not nihilism? For that matter is there a difference between the two ideas? Could Camus for into both camps?
This is a really great question, and one he was very well aware of. He took much of his philosophy from Nietzsche and Kierkegaard (a nihilist and existentialist). However, Camus was against nihilism, and believed, though there is ultimately no meaning, one should accept this fact, and in turn live freely. For the absurdist, a meaningless live does not rid oneself of creating personal values (even if temporary). Living is still preferred over not living, whereas the nihilist will say they are equal in nothingness. The absurdist build beliefs and a moral code that is judged on actions, and appropriating elements of preexisting philosophies. I hope that makes sense! Thank you for the great question. 😊😎
The Stranger was a book that left creepy afterthoughts in mind long after I finished reading it, all philosophy aside. Of course, those points worthy of reflection surround the psychopathic protagonist. Upon further examination, the concepts open up another can of worms.
Speaking of which, I can't resist:
ruclips.net/video/SdbLqOXmJ04/видео.html
The book can be a little unsettling. The last chapter is a real psychological trip. And yes!! I wish I could have played that song at some point without getting the video taken down haha. That is a great tune!😎🎶
So, I finished this earlier today and it's one of my least favorite reads of the year. (I liked it better than Othello and Persuasion) I can see the themes in the book, but I didn't care for the story. By the end I was not invested at all in Meursault fate. Guilty or innocent? I didn't care. Of course, that may well be the point. This was an interesting discussion and I'm looking forward to watching the other 3 videos.
Oh, Thank you, John! I wasn't too sure you were going to like this one, judging by what you typically read, but it is really great you gave it a shot! Camus is one writer who people are split down the middle. He is definitely not for everyone. 😊
Enjoying this series, and looking into the themes has got me interested in reading the book. I often feel like I'm in a minority not having read it yet 😅
It is a really quick read and well worth it. The writing is really beautiful at times.😊😊
Why do we hope or expect life to have a rational order? I may have to reread the book as you work through this. Have you read The Meursault Investigation by Kamel Daoud?
Camus would call this expectation absurd, and there really is no reason we should expect there to be rational order. Although this doesn't really answer your question. I am not sure if there could be a definitive, end all, answer.
And I have heard of that novel, and it has been on my radar, just haven't gotten to it. I may have to this coming month. Thank you so much!😊😊
@@attention5638 I guess it was a rhetorical question, although if pushed to answer it myself I would say that humans have evolved the capacity to observe and from that spot patterns, connections and consequences. So we look for those things even where they don't exist. Hence astrology for example.
I like it
Thank you!😊
I feel like I'm living in passivity at this point. Some of these definitions make me feel seen. Am I an existentialist? 😩
You could be! Welcome to the brightest side of the dark side! 😅😊
If “individual lives and the existence of human beings in general have no rational meaning or order” then did Camus just embraces the absurd? Why would he even care to make the point that there is no meaning if there is no meaning? By explaining how there is no meaning, isn’t that what gives no meaning, meaning? So because he is trying to make a point about life being irrational, the point or his written works are actually giving it some sort of rationality.
I don’t even know if I explained that correctly 😅 but it has made me think of free will and fate. You and I can just talk later about that stuff hahaha that could easily be a couple hour conversation 😂
Camus was very intent with expressing what he believed was true. If it held an ultimate purpose or not is beside what he believed to be true. The same way an atheist will argue against the existence of God. At first is seems like a pointless endeavor, and ultimately, it may be, but the higher cause here is standing for one's own self. This idea comes up a few times in the novel, and I will get more into it then. And yes, we shall talk about this--although, I will warn you, we wont be covering free will in a single conversation or two, and there is a possibility that after a year of conversations, we will have only just begun. Hopefully. 😂
Better give yourself a few more hours on top of that because first you have to define what is rational.
@@attention5638 after a few years of Free will and fate, we can move on to Aristotle, kierkegaard, Satre and then in ten years it will be Heidegger. Philosophy makes my brain turn in a good way 😂🤣😊
@@stevencorey1278 Good point. If Camus says that him explaining it is not rational, but did it anyway, how you define rational would either have to change, or you would have to point to some absolute that is defining it for you. There is something else going on here. I may have to come back to this 😂🤣
@@attention5638 Thank you, sir. But don't ask me what rational is...the girls still have me penned up in the corner. First things first. 😭😭😭
yeet yeet
Hahah, always good to see ya here! Yeet yeet, indeed.😅
30 like 👍❤️
Oh! I didn't see this! Thank you very much 😊😊
I know people like this.. actions and choices are the complete opposite of what they claim to believe.. it annoys me
I completely agree. Can never trust someone like that. 😤
Absurdism: Me 🦄
Though I would like to believe that I am not that absurd. I’d like to think that most things I do have meaning. At least I think it has meaning 😂
Of course you have meaning. You would have even more meaning if you got off your duff, used that special gift God gave you and get your poetry published! We, the thirsty, are waiting!😭😭😭
A person, as self, is not absurd. The absurd is a feeling. A feeling one can get at any moment, when reflecting on the nature of anything. The absurd can not exist solely in someone, but it "is" the relationship one has with the universe and everything in it. The absurd is something that happens to you, not something you are. And yes, what you do can certainly have meaning/value if you choose to give it value. But this value is not something that transcends your own intentions. Once you are gone from the world, the value you gave those things goes with you. Does that make more sense?
A person, as self, is not absurd. The absurd is a feeling. A feeling one can get at any moment, when reflecting on the nature of anything. The absurd can not exist solely in someone, but it "is" the relationship one has with the universe and everything in it. The absurd is something that happens to you, not something you are. And yes, what you do can certainly have meaning/value if you choose to give it value. But this value is not something that transcends your own intentions. Once you are gone from the world, the value you gave those things goes with you. Does that make more sense?
I agree! Sam, you should really think about it.😊
@@attention5638 yes, I believe so. So if say I had the feeling of joy in an instant where it would not make sense to have joy?
TIL Pae Veo does not speak French; I am in shock. Estrangement in The Stranger = eSTRANGERment?
Hahahaha that is pretty great! 😂🤣
'I'm so messed up I'm alienated from the alienated' #insum 😝🤨
🤣😂 That is great. Same here, same here. It can be a nice place to be, sometimes. 😊
@@attention5638 :P
Waiting for next video