Stranger Journal 6

1. Word Choice
The language if fairly basic. It is very straightforward.

Why does Camus use such basic language to get across the points of such complex philosophy?

2. Sentences
The sentences range, but most of the time they are pretty short. They usually make one point. There are not really any run on sentences. The narrator makes one point after another, but the are all separate thoughts.

Why does Camus never use compound sentences in the narration of The Stranger?

3. Images
The sun is often mentioned. The narrator mentions that it is hot a lot. He also describes of the look of people a lot, such as Marie's "Sun-tanned face". This shows his tendency to care about more the physical than the mental/emotional.

Why does Camus describe the appearance of people so much more than anything else?

4.Symbols
There are objects such as the sun that are repeated throughout the book. However, I don't believe it is meant to symbolize anything. The sun is simply there, and Meursault notices it. I dont think there is one thing one thing in this book that is supposed to symbolize anything.

Why would Camus not use any symbolic figures or objects in his text?

5. Figures of Speech
Some would find it ironic that people in the book are constantly trying to get Meursault to care. Or are trying to find a reason behind his murder. But there simply is no reason.

Why does Camus make Meursault, the protagonist, such an indifferent character?

6.Rhetorical Devices
The dialogue of the story shows very well how the character interacts with others. His narration tells us why he says what he says, such as agreeing with someone just so they will quit talking.

Why does Camus tell us in the narration why Meursault says what he says?

7. Patterns
There are no patterns in this book. The actions of Meursault are based on whatever he feels like at the time he commits them.

Why is there no pattern to anything in The Stranger?

8. Narrator
The narrator is the protagonist, Meursault, himself. It looks into his mind and you get a look at every other character from the book through his eyes. This ends up exaggerating the emotions of the other characters, because they contrast so much with Meursault's way of living.

Why did Camus choose to make the narrator have no insight on other's minds?

9. Structure
The structure is chronological. It is all written in the past tense, as if Meursault is the one writing it, later on in his life. Time passes faster at different points of the book. A chapter can cover just a day or a whole month.

Why did Camus choose to write the story in the past tense?