Part One Study Questions

The Stranger

Chapters 1-3

Contrast the actions of M. Perez with those of Meursault at the funeral.

What Are Meursault’s major responses to other’s actions and requests?

How can you characterize Meursault after reading Chapters 1 & 2.  Pay special attention to the last lines of Chapter 2:

“It occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over, that Maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed” (24).

What kinds of details does Camus use in his writing?

What insights do you gain from the character of Raymond?

What significance is there in the novel’s title?

Is the novel effective so far?

What kinds of connections can you make between the novel and our discussion of existential thought? (Potential Journal Topic)

Chapters 4-6

Why does Marie want to marry Meursault?

Why does Meursault agree to marriage?

Why does Meursault spend so much time talking and listening about the loss of the dog?

What coincidences lead to the murder?

What circumstances seem to lead Meursault to murder?

Look closely at pages 58-59.  What images does Camus use to describe the murder?  Why does he choose these particular images?

Is the murder that Meursault commits a rational act?  Why or why not?

Be prepared to discuss the significance of the following quote:

"Then I fired four more times at the motionless body where the bullets lodged without leaving a trace.  And it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness." (59)