Part Two Study Questions

The Stranger

Chapter 1

Is there an indication that Meursault has a change in his attitude toward the world?

There is a subtle shift in narrative style in chapters 1-3, can you note the shift?

Pay close attention to the passage on page 65 when Meursault's lawyer asks him if he has felt any sadness on the day of his mothers funeral.  What's important about this passage?

What is your reaction to the "crucifix" passage on pages 68-69?

What does repent mean?  Is Meursault capable of repenting?

 Chapter 2

Has Meursault's attitude toward Marie changed at all?

How does Meursault adjust to prison life?

For the first time, Meursault gives thought to an abstract concept.  What concept does he think about?  What are his thoughts?

What does Meursault "learn" in prison?  Is this indicative of a change?

How does Meursault's perspective of past, present, and future change?

Chapter 3

How is the jury characterized?  How is this significant?  (If your analytical faculties are firing on all cylinders, you should be able to connect this question with the second question form Part Two Chapter One.)

Chapter 4

Can you see evidence of a narrative shift in the first paragraph?

Note Meursault's sudden burst of emotion.  Also note his reaction.

Can Meursault's crime be considered premeditated? 

Why does the prosecutor attempt to put the blame for the other crime on Meursault?

Chapter 5

As chapter 5 opens, what is Meursault pondering?  Is this surprising?

How does Meursault feel about hope?

The chaplain speaks to Meursault about hope.  How do you believe he defines hope?

Take some time to think over the exchange between Meursault and the Chaplain on pages 118-20.  How does this passage summarize Meursault's view of life?  How d you react personally to the passage?

Some quotes to ponder from Chapter 5:     (You might want to have your book handy to check context.)

"...there really was something ridiculously out of proportion between the verdict such certainty was based on and the imperturbable march of events from the moment the verdict was announced." (109)

"I was forced to admit from the moment it had been passed its consequences became as real and as serious as the wall against which I pressed the length of my body." (109-10)

"How had I not seen that there was nothing more important than an execution, and that when you come right down to it, it was the only thing a man could truly be interested in?" (110)

"...the trouble with the guillotine was that you had no chance at all, absolutely none.  The fact was that it had been decided once and for all that the patient was to die." (111)

"But everybody knows life isn't worth living.  Deep down I knew perfectly well that it doesn't much matter whether you die at thirty or seventy, since in either case other men and women will naturally go on living--and for thousands of years." (114)

"I'd be thinking in twenty years when it would all come down to the same thing anyway.  Since we're all going to die, it's obvious that when and how don't matter.  Therefore (and the difficult thing was not to lose sight of all the reasoning that went into this "therefore"), I had to accept the rejection of my appeal." (114)

"I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate." (123)