The Essence of the Outsider: Understanding Absurdity and Authenticity in The Stranger

Abstract: The Stranger is a representative work by Albert Camus, a key figure in French existentialist and absurdist literature. The novel emphasizes the protagonist Meursault's alienation and maladaptation to human society—illustrated through his mother’s funeral, Marie’s proposal, the court trial, and his journey toward death. The narrative constructs Meursault as a quintessential "outsider". This paper analyzes the factors contributing to the creation of the outsider, focusing on the legal themes revealed in the novel and the essential characteristics of the "outsider". Through analogical reasoning based on the fate of similar characters, the paper explores Meursault's tragic ending and reflects on the survival strategies of "outsiders" in modern society. Keywords: The Stranger, Camus, Law, Indifference, Authenticity, Absurdity, Fate, Survival Strategies. Title: The Essence of the Outsider: Understanding Absurdity and Authenticity in The Stranger Author: Gong Jiamin International Journal of Novel Research in Humanity and Social Sciences ISSN 2394-9694 Vol. 11, Issue 6, November 2024 - December 2024 Page No: 37-40 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 26-December-2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14557382 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/The%20Essence%20of%20the%20Outsider-26122024-3.pdf