Meursault's Passivity: A Warning to Readers

Bree, Germaine. "Meursault's Passivity Leads to His Death." Readings on The Stranger. (2001): 152-155. Print.


Germaine Bree argues that Meursault is displayed as a character who does not question any aspect of his own existence, which is the reason why Meursault murders the Arab and eventually leads to his own death. Bree believes that Meursault “serves as a warning to the reader not to simply exist passively and risk making the same sort of mistake” (Bree 152). The way Meursault “acts in a human situation as though human relationships, and therefore responsibilities, do not exist” leads Meursault to commit the actions his does, which results in the court condemning him to death (Bree 152). At Meursault’s trial, the prosecution and defense present all the unrelated events that occurred between his mother’s death and the murder as a basis of their interpretation of Meursault’s personality. Therefore, Meursault feels as if he is being condemned to death for not crying at his mother’s funeral, instead of being condemned for the actual murder he committed. Meursault is in bewildered surprise and sees no connection between any past events and the murder. Bree states that because of the 1st person narration, we see through Meursault’s eyes, and “we are almost in complete agreement with him” (Bree 153). Camus uses his hero (Meursault) to open the reader’s eyes in order to leave our comfort zone and to deride our smugness. Bree argues that Camus uses Meursault to “suggest that in the face of the absurd no man can afford passively just to exist” (Bree 155).

Bree’s argument explains that Camus displays Meursault to bear a passive attitude in order to convince readers not to follow in his footsteps, and to not live life the way Meursault does. Bree’s point of view suggests that the goal behind this novel is not whether or not to side with Meursault, it is to fully comprehend the extent of the situation Meursault got himself into as a consequence of his passive behavior. Although, in order for the reader to be fully capable of understanding the situation, an understanding of the existing indifference must be made. Bree’s point of view demonstrates that because of the fact that the story is told in 1st person, through Meursault’s eyes, readers instinctively find themselves in agreement with him. This agreement with Meursault is what leads readers to whether or not they find a relation to his indifference. Once the relation is determined, Bree argues that the purpose of Camus’s display of Meursault through 1st person narration will be discovered. Bree’s point of view contributes ideas to consider, because it explains reasons why Camus created the character of Meursault to act indifferent to society, which may help the reader when it comes to identifying or not with the personality of Meursault.