A Quick Guide to "The Stranger"

By Students' Academy

The central theme of the novel is existentialism.

The story revolves around the central character Meursault, an Algerian. He happens to be a French citizen who lives in North Africa. He is a man of the Mediterranean, though he hardly partakes of the traditional Mediterranean culture.

He kills an Arab man whom he recognizes in French Algiers.

There are two parts of the story: Meursault’s first person narrative view before the murder and after the murder, respectively.

A Quick Guide to "The Stranger"
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Summary
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Part One
Part Two
Chapter Five: Further Notes

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Nov 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310858376

Students' Academy

Easy study guides for the students of English literature.

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A Quick Guide to The Stranger

Copyright

A Quick Guide to The Stranger

Students' Academy

Copyright@2013 Students' Academy

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter One: Introduction

The Stranger by Albert Camus is also titled The Outsider. This novel was first published in 1942.

The central theme of the novel is existentialism.

The story revolves around the central character Meursault, an Algerian. He happens to be a French citizen who lives in North Africa. He is a man of the Mediterranean, though he hardly partakes of the traditional Mediterranean culture.

He kills an Arab man whom he recognizes in French Algiers.

There are two parts of the story: Meursault’s first person narrative view before the murder and after the murder, respectively.

Chapter Two: Plot Summary

In the opening of the part one, Meursault comes to know about the death of his mother. He attends her funeral but does not express expected emotions of grief.

When he is asked whether he wants to see the dead body, he refuses. Totally ignoring the dead body of his mother, he smokes, drinks coffee with milk in front of the coffin.

He begins to give his comments about the people who happen to be present at the funeral.

After some time, he meets Maria who was a former employee of his firm. Maria and Meursault get re-acquainted and their relationship begins. In fact, they begin to have a sexual relationship, totally disregarding the fact that Meursault’s mother has died only one day before.

During the following few days, Meursault helps Raymond Sintès, his friend and neighbour. He helps his friend in taking revenge on a Moorish girlfriend suspected of infidelity.

On Raymond’s request Meursault writes a letter to Raymond’s girlfriend. The sole purpose of writing that letter to the girlfriend is to invite her over so that Raymond can have sex with her but then kick