1. Why does Camus describe everyone in detail except the Arabs? The most he describes the Arabs is that they are wearing blue overalls. Most everyone else is described in elaborate detail.
2. What does the dog represent?
3. Do Meursault’s cigarettes represent something? If so, what?
4. On pg. 56, what is the significance of Meursault referencing his mother’s death as he’s about to kill someone?
5. Why does Camus set the story on the beach so often and why does he make it a place that Meursault desires to go to?
Answers:
Answers:
Megan #1
Camus uses the dog to represent the relationship between a human and something they love. This relationship contrasts with the relationships that Meursault has to make them seem superficial and to show that he is not capable of understanding a deeper relationship.
Matt #2
Camus uses short, choppy sentences to show that Meursault is not capable of thinking or comprehending anything more, like emotion. This is why he is not capable of expressing his emotion.
Tate #5
The sun changes the tone to reveal Meursault's physical wants and that he is not capable of expressing anything deeper than his physical desires.
Ivan #4
Having dialogue interspersed throughout the paragraphs creates the feel that it is a human's thoughts, giving the reader a more genuine account of Meursault's story.
Isabella #1
Camus gives Meursault emotions, but he is not capable of expressing them. This is clear through the short, choppy, methodical sentences.
4. Camus ties both the events together to show that during both events Meursault is experiencing the same emotion. Since Meursault's surrondings are how he experiences his emotion the harsh sun means he is experiencing anger.
ReplyDeleteCamus describes everyone but the Arabs in detail to emphasize the racism felt by the French at that time, and to portray the Arabs as inferior.
ReplyDelete#1 - Camus describes the Arabs with little detail to illustrate the French society's racist perceptions of Arabs at the same.
ReplyDelete2. Camus uses the strong relationship between Salamano and his dog to show Mersault's inability to have a relationship that requires him to show emotion.
ReplyDelete3.) The cigarettes represent Mersault's tie to the physical world. Although he describes the physical aspects around him, the one thing that shows how dependent he is on material items is the cigarette.
ReplyDeleteOr...
As a symbol for his routine, losing the cigarettes show how Mersault desires his life prior to prison; when he accepts that he can no longer have the cigarettes it shows how he has been able to change/adapt to his way of life.
Maybe Camus sets the story on the beach so often to show how the intrusion of a stranger into a familiar place can lead one to violate their own moral code.
ReplyDelete3. Camus uses the symbols of ciggerettes and coffee to represent Mersualt's freedom.
ReplyDeleteCamus places the story on a beach to allow Meursault to be affected by things like the sun, the water, and the sand. This drives the plot. It also allows the reader to see how Meursault thinks of these elements - it further characterizes Meursault and the way that he sees the world.
ReplyDelete2. Camus uses the dog to represent morality, and the development of the lack of it throughout the book, eventually leading to the end of morality (when the dog runs away). The negative actions upon the dog mirror the negative (by societal standards) actions taken by Mersault.
ReplyDelete