The Stranger: Part 2

     This section begins with many references to heat and nature, explaining the physical and straightforward way in which the narrator experiences the world. Meursault describes his time in prison and the trial leading up to his conviction. He interacts in a very awkward manner with the defense and magistrate because Meursault is operating under a different set of morals. The magistrate is a very religious man, and he tries to assist Meursault under the belief that "no man was so guilty that God would not forgive him" (68). The tension is created when Meursault admits that he does not believe in God, and the differing foundation of morals hinders their ability to work together towards a similar goal. Meursault says a line that I think really sums up his character thus far: "I explained to him, however, that my nature was such that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings" (65). The majority of humans tend to be driven by emotions, feelings, and desires. However, Meursault seems much more captivated and influenced by the physical effects of the surroundings on his being more than the emotional or mental consequences. When he is relating the shooting, Meursault describes his physical sensations instead of the thoughts or emotions coursing through his brain: "Once again I could see the red sand and feel the burning of the sun on my forehead" (67). In this sense, Meursault appears to be very existentialist because is living under his own set of rules and morals, and he places emphasis on what he values most in life. However, one of the fundamental pillars of existentialism is that humans have free will, and Meursault relates how the prison and captivity has deprived him of this right. Therefore, we begin to see a shift in our narrator as he begins to understand the consequences of his actions. The biggest counter to Merusault being an existentialist appears at the end of the section when he says, "for the first time in years I had this stupid urge to cry, because I could feel how much all these people hated me" (89-90). This is the one of the first instances where the reader is allowed into the emotions and thoughts of the narrator, and this line rejects the idea of existentialism because Meursault is basing his feelings off of the emotions and viewpoints of others.