Question 1
Religion is an overarching theme in the Stranger. The antagonist, Meursault, in this novel is an atheist. He does not believe in the existence of God. He believes that the world is shaped and is as a result of fate. Meursault finds it difficult that there is the existence of a supernatural being that controls the world. The theme of religion is brought about in various sections of the plot in this novel. One of the main sections of the plot where the theme of religion is brought is during the funeral of Meursault mother. Meursault does not show any remorse to the idea that his mother is dead (Camus & Ward 44). He does not even ask that the coffin of his mother be opened when he arrives at the home care facility for the old people where his mother lived. To the astonishment of many Meursault does not remember about any of the things that happen during his mother funeral.
Untouched by the death of his mother Meursault is happy to be in Algiers and even proceed to have a swim with friends. This is a clear indication that he does not believe in religion. Another incidence in which the theme of religion is brought out is when he shoots Raymond’s ex-lover. He does not show any remorse and does not make any effort to join religion so that he could save his life. Even after a chaplain tries to convince him to join a religion, he almost strangles the chaplain to death because he believes that his atheist ways are the right way not religion.
Question 2
According to the myth of absurdity, absurd people believe in what they are sure about and are in constant questioning of what they are unsure about. Human, reason, and the universe are in constant conflict among absurd people. Camus understands Sisyphus as being an absurd hero because Sisyphus going for what he is sure about. For example, Sisyphus is to receive punishment during the first time that he goes to the underworld, but convinces the gods to let him come to earth to chastise his wife for not following his commands and orders about how his funeral should be handled(Camus 31). Once he gets on earth, Sisyphus defies the God and decides to spend many years on earth enjoying. When he gets to the underworld for the second time he is faced with a severe punishment of eternally rolling a rock up a mountain and then rock rolls back again. Camus views him as an absurd character because even in the midst of this punishment, Sisyphus finds happiness in the breaks that he has when the rock rolls downhill. This absurdity shows that Sisyphus believes in what he is sure about and has happiness in it. In addition his understanding that there is no reprieve in his punishment also gives him punishment. This understanding alleviates the pain that comes from such a fate.
Question 3
In this case Roquentin makes the argument that he has never had adventures. According to this character he has been through various events. An event in this context is believed to as something that induces a drastic change in the life of somebody. On the other hand, an adventure is viewed as something that is only noticeable until it vanishes. This idea that there is no adventure in life is right because we change each day. For example, we grow older each day. Sometimes we might think that nothing has changed in us but the fact remains that things around us and within us change by the seconds. Therefore, even the actions and activities that we engage in with idea that they are adventures change us and therefore the assertion that there is no adventure in life is founded. For example, Sartre writes that “Nothing has changed and yet everything is different. I can't describe it; it's like the Nausea and yet it's just the opposite” (Sartre 54). Therefore, most of the activities that we engage in are more events and not adventures.
Works Cited
Camus, Albert. The myth of Sisyphus, and other essays. [1st American ed. New York: Knopf, 1955. Print.
Camus, Albert, and Matthew Ward. The stranger. New York: Vintage International, 1989. Print.
Sartre, Jean. La Nausée. Paris: Gallimard, 1938. Print.
