
Stranac
"The Stranger" (1942) by Albert Camus, a classic work of existentialism, follows the life of Meursault, an emotionally indifferent Algerian of French descent, whose apathetic attitude towards the world leads to tragic consequences.
The story begins with the death of Meursault's mother. He does not show the expected emotions at her funeral, which causes astonishment among those around him. Instead of grieving, Meursault continues his life as usual: he begins a relationship with Marie, spends time with his friend Raymond, and enjoys simple pleasures such as swimming and sunbathing. His emotional distance becomes apparent when, on an impulse, he kills an Arab on the beach, after a conflict related to Raymond. This act, described almost mechanically, without a clear motive, is crucial for the further course of the story.
In the second part of the novel, Meursault is arrested and put on trial. The trial reveals that society condemns him not only for the murder, but also for his inability to conform to social norms - especially his lack of remorse and emotional reaction to his mother's death. Meursault's indifference and rejection of hypocrisy make him an outsider in the eyes of society. He is condemned to death, and in his final moments, faced with the inevitability, he accepts the absurdity of life and finds peace in the indifference of the universe.
Through a minimalist style and Meursault's perspective, Camus questions the meaning of life, individual freedom, and the conflict between individual truth and social expectations. The novel ends with a powerful message about embracing the absurd as a form of liberation.
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