2. Summary: Meursault receives news that his mother passes away in Marengo. He returns home (Algiers) after the funeral, and goes to the beach where he meets Marie. Later that night, they have a date where they spend the night together. Later, the character Raymond, Meursault’s neighbor, and Meursault have dinner. Raymond talks about the aftermath of when he suspected his mistress to be on him, which involved physical violence. Raymond wants revenge, again, so he involves Meursault. Meursault writes later that night, helping his friend get revenge. Around this time, Marie returns to Meursault and while they are having a conversation, Raymond attacks his mistress; the police show up. Marie …show more content…
Are we anything more that our physical selves? Meursault is strongly against believing in anything more than his physical life. He lacks emotions, and refuses to accept a divinity. The book plays on the idea of existentialism as means to show that life is nothing more that the physical world we see. Apathy: Can one be truly apathetic in humanity? Meursault doesn't have interest in the emotional world around him. He detaches himself from the emotional aspects of the world. He doesn't mourn for his mother, nor over the murder he commits. Other characters, such as Raymond, also seem to be detached from emotions. Other characters, however, have emotions that are so magnified it seems as if the speaker is mocking …show more content…
The constant questioning in the quote indicates that Meursault is struggling with the date of his mother's date. The use of short sentences shows that Meursault is thinking. They also place a emphasis on his confusion over a date rather than the actual situation. He is trying to figure out when something happened rather than focusing on his emotions over the death of his mother. Towards the end of quote, he states "maybe it was yesterday". There is a natural emphasis placed on the phrase " it was". This shows that he was more concerned over the facts of his mother's death, rather than mourning for his mother. It depicts the reality of his character that is more attached to the factual aspect of the world rather than the emotions