Excerpt from The Stranger:
"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: “Mother
deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.” That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday." - Meursault
In The Stranger, written by Camus, the theme of Existentialism is seen over and over again
for Meursault is a man who does not regret what he does. Meursault results in a trial because he has murdered an Arab, he
does not see what he has done wrong and refuses to accept God because he believes he does not need religion to live a happy
life. Meursault lives day by day without any worry for consequences.
In the beginning of the Stranger, Meursault's mother passes away, and instead of him mourning
for his mother, he lights up a cigarette and never sheds a tear. His apathy to his mother's death is one of the main issues
during his final trial. Existentialism is based on living your life without any regrets, what happens happens, and once it
happens do not regret or fear the consequence because there is a purpose.
Meursault could have accepted God and apologized for his indifference throughout the play, but decided
that there is no need to lie, so he was executed.
