Stranger Journal 6

Part 1

1. Word Choice

• The language used throughout the book is rather basic and easy to understand.
• Question: Why does Camus use such simple wording throughout the story?

2. Sentences

• The sentences Camus writes are very simple as well as short and to the point.
• Question: Why does Camus write in such short and simple sentences when narrating for Meursault?

3. Images

• The narrator oftentimes says its hot while talking of Meursalt and uses the sun a lot to convey this.
• Question: Why does Camus use the imagery of the sun so many times throughout the book?

4. Symbols

• Some symbols which stand out in the book are the symbols of the sun and the crucifix.
• Question: What is Camus trying to convey through the use of a crucifix as a symbol?

5. Figures of Speech

• Camus uses irony throughout the book when showing how when Meursault commits murder he doesn't seem to care, but seems rather annoyed.
• Question: What is Camus trying to get the reader to realize through his use of irony?

6. Rhetorical Devices

• The juxtapositioning of Meursault's character and those around him.
• Question: Why does Camus include such different characters in his book?

7. Patterns

• Camus uses the motif of heat and cigarettes.
• Question: What is Camus trying to convey to the reader when he uses the motif of cigarettes?

8. Narrator

• Told through 1st person with the main character being Meursault.
• Question: Why does Camus make Meursault's character seem so non-caring?

9. Structure

• The pace of the book as it progresses becomes increasingly faster and more stuff is happening in a seemingly shorter time period.
• Question: What effect is Camus trying to build with the increasing speed of the story as it progresses?

Part 2

Question: "Why does Camus make his characters seem so simple?" (Harbolt)
Thesis: Camus makes his characters seem so simple to show how their lives are not important emotionally, but rather physically.

Question:"Why does Camus use simple vocabulary to describe a book that is formal?" (V)
Thesis: Camus uses such simple vocabulary throughout his book to highlight how seemingly meaningless Meursault's life is.

Question: "Why doesn't Camus just use long sentences to describe things in detail?" (Britni)
Thesis: Camus uses shorter sentences throughout the book to show how Meursault does not seem to care much of his situation.

Question: "Why does Camus describe the appearance of people so much more than anything else?" (Connor)
Thesis: Camus describes the appearance of people more than anything else of a person to show how the physical life is more important than the mental life.

Question: "What is Camus's purpose through portraying the sun?" (V)
Thesis: Camus uses the symbol of the sun to show how Meursault is oftentimes making bad decisions when under pressure and the heat of the sun.

Question: "Does Camus intend for his irony to create comical scenes?" (Harbolt)
Thesis: Camus, through his use of irony, tries to depict the differences in his characters he uses throughout his book and juxtaposes them with each other and their different beliefs.

Question: "Why does Camus make Meursault awkward around others?" (Harbolt)
Thesis: Camus makes Meursault's character always awkward when around others to show how they have different beliefs and act differently according to their philosophies towards life.

Question: "Why does Camus almost never describe specific physical details of other important characters?" (Britni)
Thesis: Camus almost never describes physical details of others because he wants to show how these characters live their lives in accordance to their emotional rather than their physical life.

Question: "Why does Camus use these different speeds in the passage of time?" (Harbolt)
Thesis:Camus uses the different speeds in the passage of time to show how the conflict between Meursault and other characters increase.