Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Stranger Journal #4

Six Insightful Questions about Chapter 6 of The Stranger:
  1. Why are the Arabs barely described, and why do minor details make up most of the description?
  2. Why does Meursault shoot the man not only once, but four more times?
  3. What purpose(s) does Masson have in the novel if he is a minor character but is heavily described?
  4. How come the beach becomes menacing and harsh after Meursault eats lunch?
  5. What effects do the heavily described natural elements (sun, sky, ocean, etc.) have upon the story/theme?
  6. Why did Camus choose a beach setting for Meursault to shoot the Arab? Why not the countryside or somewhere else?

1 comment:

  1. 6) The beach is used a lot throughout the novel, isn't it? It seems like Mersault shows more emotion in general whenever he is there. Camus describes Mersault in a way that makes it seem like Mersault experiences his happiest moments while at the beach, but then contrasts it with the whole mess he gets himself into with the Arab. I haven't given it so much thought as to figure out why, but maybe you'll be able to derive something from my interpretation.

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