The stranger
The societies in which we grow play a considerably large role in developing our character, as well as our attitudes and approach to different day to day settings in which we come into contact with. As a result, this is one of the reasons why various societies have been described as conservative, while others, particularly in the west, have been described as permissive. This is normally due to the fact that the different societies have been brought up through different traditions that have been passed on from one generation to another. This is as a result of the different organizations in the society, and philosophers have asserted the fact that the perception of good and bad in different societies is one of the factors that have led to these differences in perception and understanding. For instance, what might be considered legal in one society, might be absolutely unacceptable in a different culture (Sartre 57).
At the same time, as it will be seen in the novel The Stranger, living in more than one region or society might prove to be a challenge to the person, since they will be expected to adapt to the changes and differences in the two different cultures. However, there are several aspects that are considered to be universally, morally right or wrong. According to Jean-Paul Sartre, protection of life is universally considered a moral right in every primitive culture, while killing of the same is considered a moral wrong. In this case, therefore, death is considered a sad affair, that should be mourned. In the book The Stranger, Meursault the main character in the novel, is indeed considered a stranger to the society, as a result of his actions and a generally different perception that he has towards life.
Originally from France, Meursault lives in the northern African country of Algeria. He ends up killing an Arab who identifies him as French, and this is where his life takes a different twist, especially, in his underst5anding and practice of good and bad. For instance, the novel starts with Meursault learning of his mother’s death, to which he mourns deeply, out of losing a person close to his life. Surprisingly, though, he does not show any signs of grief at the burial. In fact, he is smoking pipe and assumedly making merry, while other people mourn the loss of his mother.
Even goes ahead to describe how the people at the burial are behaving. According to Jean-Paul Sartre, as much as one may not be compelled to behave as the society is, particularly in the free and permissive societies, it is necessary to draw a line between permissiveness and respect. In this case, for example, Meursault should have shown respect for his deceased mother, particularly, the last respect, something that is ethically expected. This will not only make sure that he honors his mother even at death, but also ensure that the he does not go against the societal expectations.
On the other hand, it is necessary to note the fact that there is a lot of relationship between ethics and humanity. In this case, treating other people as one would wish to be treated is one of the virtues and ethical aspects that have been promoted by various philosophers across the world including Sartre, as well as various religions, such as Christianity. For instance, in Meursault’s case, he has involved himself in ethically wrong activities. For instance, he has a friend who is also a neighbor, Raymond. He has helped him take revenge on his ex-girlfriend, who is Moorish, who has been for long suspected of infidelity.
According to Sartre, this goes against the common values of ethics, since man should treat the other as he would expect to be treated. This is something that Meursault does not put into consideration, since he ends up hurting Raymond’s girlfriend. At the same time, he does not express any concern about the feelings of Raymond’s girlfriend. As much as it is ethically wrong to be involved in an affair with one’s friends, it is also ethically wrong to be involved with another person as a test of infidelity, whereby one’s feelings will be involved and affected. However, in some cultures, it is not an ethical wrong to have an affair with a friend’s spouse or partner. However, from an Existentialism perspective, this is generally considered a moral wrong, since it portrays lack of respect.
At the same time, there is the involvement of social injustices and mistreatments, deaths and killings in the novel. For example, after the return of Raymond’s girlfriend, her infuriated reaction leads to Raymond beating her up, which portrays lack of respect for the ladies. At the same time, Raymond together with his friend Meursault kill an Arab, who is in the group that sought to kill Raymond, after he took his girlfriend to court, suing her for infidelity.
In this case, the audience is presented with two viable options that can be applied and used for reconciliation, decision-making and solving of a disagreement. For instance, instead of Raymond taking the matter in his hands by trying to eliminate the people that seek his life, it would have been necessary to use the earlier approach, and report the case to the administrational authority and have it solved out, legally in a court of law. According to Sartre, every action that man involves himself, may it be right or wrong, has its own consequences, whose measure is in most cases, determined by the extent to which the person had gone.
In this case, for instance, the killing of the Arabian man lands Meursault in prison, as a punishment for his action. At the same time, this comes as a remedy to most of the actions that one has involved himself in. for instance, during his time in jail, he finds it very difficult, especially, because he no longer has the freedom to move around as he wishes, and as he used to, prior to the imprisonment. At the same time, he is not in a position to satisfy all his desires, for instance, his sexual desires, with Marie.
In conclusion, it is clear that observing ethics and moral activities and involvements is one of the most essential things to put into consideration, especially, since they not only govern our personal behavior, but also our interrelationship with other people, which is yet another essential aspect to put into consideration. According to Sartre, ethics is the basic tenet that determines how effectively we will relate with other people, and the society at large (44).
Works cited
Sartre, Jean-Paul. Ethics and Existentialism. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.
