Existentialism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the 20th century, posits that human existence is characterized by freedom and responsibility. Existentialists argue that individuals must take responsibility for their choices and actions, and that these choices are not determined by external factors such as morality or divine guidance.
The novel begins with the death of Meursault's mother, which sets the tone for the rest of the book. Meursault's reaction to his mother's passing is one of indifference, and he is more concerned with the physical discomfort of the funeral than with any emotional response to the loss. This detached attitude is a hallmark of Meursault's character and serves as a precursor to the senseless act of violence that will come to define him.
La historia comienza con una de las frases más famosas de la literatura universal: "Hoy, mamá ha muerto. O quizás ayer, no sé." Meursault, un oficinista argelino (Argelia era entonces territorio francés), recibe un telegrama anunciando el fallecimiento de su madre. Viaja al asilo de Marengo, pero no llora en el velorio, toma café, fuma y no quiere ver el cadáver. Al día siguiente, inicia una relación amorosa con Marie Cardona y se hace amigo de su vecino, Raymond Sintès, un proxeneta violento. el extranjero. albert camus
Para entender , no se puede ignorar el concepto del Absurdo . Camus desarrolló esta teoría en su ensayo paralelo, El mito de Sísifo (también de 1942).
Camus shows us a universe that is not evil, but indifferent. The sky does not care if you mourn. The sun burns equally on the funeral procession and the murder. The world breathes with a vast, mechanical silence. And in that silence, Meursault is finally free. In his prison cell, awaiting execution, he opens himself to “the tender indifference of the world.” He realizes he had been happy. He would be happy again. Existentialism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the
Meursault, a French Algerian clerk, receives news of his mother’s death but exhibits a startling lack of grief. He attends her funeral, returns to Algiers, begins a physical relationship with a woman named Marie, and helps a neighbor, Raymond, in a sordid dispute.
But Meursault is the most honest man in the room. Meursault's reaction to his mother's passing is one
Camus uses the novel to illustrate "the Absurd"—the conflict between the human search for meaning and the "silent," indifferent universe.
La novela se divide en dos partes simétricas, un recurso estructural que Camus utilizó para contrastar la vida "natural" del hombre con la "lógica" social.