Is religion oppressive or liberating?
The major theme in In the Stranger and Dead Man Walking is religion. The aspect of religion revolves around both novels. They indicate the importance of religion to people in the society. The absurdist claims that, “religion is constructed by man in an attempt to create meaning to a senseless existence.” When people believe in the doctrines of religion, they live with expectations of life after death and this may seem to mean that human beings have a chance to escape death. The Stranger, by Albert Camus’ point out the high naivety and hypocrisy linked with religious beliefs. The theme of religion is based on the existing conflict between the society and Meursault. The society is really condemning Meursault since he refuses to “waste any last minutes on God”. These conflicts bring a lot of challenges regarding religion since different meanings are connected to existence (Camus, Albert, Matthew, and Jonathan Davis, 36).
In my opinion, I think that religion is oppressive in the Stranger, by Albert Camus’. At the culmination of part one, a scenario where Meursault kills an Arab is emerges. Meursault takes the responsibility of the murder though it was not intentionally. The beliefs associated with blinding sunlight when it reflects the Arab’s blade increased the intensity for the murder to take place. The society has been swept away by religion since they do not criticize Meursault because of his direct involvement in the murder but they despise him because of other issues.
The society conflicts with Meursault because during the burial of her mother, it is claimed that he never showed emotions or any form of depression. He is also said to have made sex with Marie the following day after they attended in a Fernandel comedy and this made things more controversial. The prosecutor judges him by saying that, “all I see is a monster.” I think that religion had eroded the morals in the society because the way the prosecutor passes judgment is at much questioning. It does not make sense when Meursault is judged by making sex and having no emotions when her mother is buried. I think the society could have judged him due the fact that he killed an Arab. This does not happen because religion allows such a disgusting situation to go unpunished.
During interrogation in the stranger novel, religious beliefs are neither classified as evil nor corrupt but it’s born due to ignorance that develops into intolerance. When the prosecutor asks Meursault if he believes in existence of the Supreme Being his answer is “no”. The magistrate is angered by the response since he believes that God is unquestionable and for a human being to exist, it was through his grace. This is what the magistrate had to say, “He sat down indignantly. He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him.” (Harold, 18)The magistrate had strong belief that no human was allowed to underrate the presence of God and claims that Meursault is more of a monster.
It can be conclude that Meursault life never revolved around religion because he always rejected religious beliefs despite him knowing that the judgment passed in the court could not favor him. The court proceedings seem to divert from the murder case to issues concerning his total rejection for religion. Meursault did not change his mind despite that it could have changed the verdict given in the court. The court frantic efforts to inflict religion to him bore no fruits. “After a short silence, he stood up and told me that he wanted to help me, that I interested him, and that, with God’s help, he would do something for me,” the magistrate said (Harold, 44).
In the movie, Dead Man Walking (1995) the symbols and concepts of religion are depicted. Sister Helen Prejean actions cannot tell if she is truly a catholic nun despite her wearing a conservative dress. As the movie begins, Matthew Poncelet consults for legal help from Sister Helen instead of spiritual guidance. Regardless of the fact that Matthew had been convicted of rape and murder, the catholic nun decided to try her best in offering spiritual and legal help.
Sister Helen went to see Poncelet at the jail after she received his letter. Her arrival in the jail symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ because of the crucifix in her neck. The detection of the crucifix by the security officer represents the merge of church and the state. The sentencing of Poncelet to death makes the catholic nun to try all odds to save his life. Sister Helen devotion to save Poncelet existed regardless of the fact that she had no information to prove whether or not he had committed murder and rape. Her urge contrasts with that of Earl Delacroix, a member of the Catholic Church, he was seeking justice because his son, Walter was the one murdered.
In the context, Chaplain Farley doubts the actions taken by Sister Helen. The chaplain asks the nun if she has heard of the case and she answers that she had read the letter sent to her by Poncelet. The chaplain doubts Helen motives when he says, “Do you know what you’re getting into? So what is it, Sister? Is it morbid fascination or bleeding-heart sympathy?” The only answer that Sister Helen gives is that Poncelet had written every detail of the case in the letter. Chaplain Farley further criticizes her by saying that; “well there is no romance here, Sister.” (Robbins, Tim, and Helen Prejean, 59).
The dialogue between Chaplain Farley and Sister Helen shows that Farley insulted the intentions of the sister. The chaplain had no mercy or sympathy for the convicted Poncelet. This scenario is very shocking since we know that Jesus Christ was crucified to save man from sin. The habits and attitude of Chaplain Farley makes us conclude that the ministries the two served were very much different. The aspects of religion do not liberate all people but at some point it continues to oppress the society.
In the end of the film, Poncelet confesses all his mistakes and he expected that Walters father could forgive him. Forgiveness is not given and Poncelet therefore wishes that his death will restore hopes in their heart. The catholic nun explained to Poncelet that he is a Son of God and he was going to die worthy (Robbins, Tim, and Helen Prejean, 71).
Sister Helen represents Jesus Christ and a liberating religion rather than an oppressive one represented by Chaplain Farley. Religion doctrines require for forgiveness and reconciliation since Christ died to liberate man from sin. It can be conclude that the stranger paints religion as oppressive whereas on Dead Man Walking religion is there for liberation as Sister Helen represents.
Work cited
Camus, Albert, Matthew Ward, and Jonathan Davis. The Stranger. Prince Frederick, Md: Recorded Books, 2005. Sound recording.
Bloom, Harold. Albert Camus's the Stranger. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2001. Print.
Robbins, Tim, and Helen Prejean. Dead Man Walking. London: Faber, 1996. Print
