Who is this guy? Blog Post

Meursault: Man of Mystery, Existential Thinker, Secret Sad Man, or Big Jerk? And is he human? And how does he make us feel, and do we know anyone like him, and how do we think people are supposed to be and why do we think that? Why did Camus make this character this way—what reaction is he intending to get from us? Can we connect with this guy? Can we understand what it’s like to be a stranger? The first few chapters pretty sum up what kind of person Meursault is. He is no Man of Mystery or Existential Thinker. It is nearly impossible for him to be an Secret Sad Man because this heartless man, somehow get bitches, so I dont think he is a sad man. Beside when his mother died, he doesnt seem to be upset. Is he an Big Jerk? Something tells me he is and something tells me he's not. Meursault goes both ways. It is like at the first 2 chapters when his mother die, he wasn't showing any reaction or emotions. And he actually think when his mother is gone; nothing really changes. "it occurred to me that anyway one more summer was over, that Maman was buried now, that I am going back to work, and that, really nothing had changed." P.24 His mother is gone, nothing seem to bother him. Nothing really thrill this guy which tells me he is a jerk.

But somewhere is chapter 3. he actually show his feeling out to a dog. He realize that his neighbor dog was being treated horribly by the owner and he wants to help. And he also sort of help his other neighbor, Raymond Sinites, by telling him what to do to the girl that cheated on him. He also helped him to write an letter for him. SO I am not sure if he is a big jerk, I just have a feeling later on the book, he wish his mother has never left him, because his life is meaningless without her.

Meursault, he makes me feel angry. He has no respect for nobody but himself. He is like an observer. He just smoke and observe the enivornment around him and comment on the things he is seeing. I dont think I am able to connect this guy with anyone but probably toward the end... I am able too. I think some of us can understand what it's like to be a stranger because stranger just live in their own imagination in their little box. It is like when I was reading the book, I really couldnt really feel or understand why he felt that way when his mother was buried. I just dont see people like Meursault. Never!