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The Stranger. Albert Camus. Albert Camus. November 7, 1913 – January 4, 1960 1957 Nobel Prize for literature Harsh childhood (mom illiterate, dad killed) led to his ideas Existentialist Killed by car crash in Algeria. Existentialism. French- borders on atheism
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The Stranger Albert Camus
Albert Camus • November 7, 1913 – January 4, 1960 • 1957 Nobel Prize for literature • Harsh childhood (mom illiterate, dad killed) led to his ideas • Existentialist • Killed by car crash in Algeria
Existentialism • French- borders on atheism • Reality and life are absurd (no pattern of meaning) • Man defines his own existence • Emphasizes individuals responsibility to accept consequence of choice
Setting • Written in France in the early 1940’s • Set in Algiers before WWII
Characters • Meursault- protagonist and narrator; emotionally indifferent to others and refuses to adhere to the norms of society • Marie Cardona- coworker and love interest of Meursault • Raymond Sintes- neighbor and local, abusive pimp • Meursault’s mother- maman; her death begins the action of the novel • Thomas Perez- emotionally attached to Maman
Characters (continued) • Celeste- owns café Meursault dines at frequently • Masson- Raymond’s friend who invites everyone to the beach house • Salamano- he and his mangy dog are neighbors of Meursault • The Arab- brother of Raymond’s mistress