The novel is divided into two parts. The first part takes you through the events of two weeks in the life of Meursault, the story’s main character and narrator, which lead up to a murder. The second part looks back upon those events in a courtroom, which judges not only Meursault’s crime, but also his life.

A shipping clerk by trade, Meursault is a simple man. He lives life by his own values, and thinks little about events or consequences. He accepts things as are, with no emotion and very little analysis. He is a man of present moments who only considers briefly, the immediate future, and if it will bring pleasure, thus making him incapable of regret. Though Meursault is not emotional, he is very much in tune with his senses. He describes and gets joy out of things that he can see, touch, smell, a

Raymond also enters the story. He is disliked in the neighborhood and is referenced as “a pimp,” though when asked, he tells people that he is a warehouse guard. He is also quite violent. When he is introduced, he is plotting revenge on his girlfriend, who he later beats, for cheating on him. Despite his dishonest and immoral approach, Meursault befriends him. Raymond devises a plan to get revenge on the girl. He convinces Meursault to write a letter for him. In doing so, Meursault has just involuntarily become intertwined in Raymond’s problems.

Meursault describes the interrogation as “a game.” “The game” becomes a central theme in the story and is a metaphor for society. It becomes relevant at the end of the novel.

On the day of his trial, Camus uses the adjective, “brilliant,” to describe the sun. I feel this symbolizes hope for our main character. As the trial begins however, Meursault describes the room as “stiflingly hot.” Once again, foreshadowing a bad turn of events. It is important to note that the focus of the trial was on Meursault’s character rather than the crime committed, and he is sentenced to death because he does not “play the game,” or, in other words, not conform to society’s beliefs. In fact, the murder was hardly even mentioned. The trial turns out badly for Meursault and he is condemned to death by means of the guillotine.

While in jail, an interesting transformation occurs within Meursault, he becomes analytical and begins to show emotion, though he fights this change and tries to remain his old self. The first instance of Meursault showing emotion is upon receiving a letter from Marie. Upon receiving this, he, for the first time, shows that he misses and cares about her. After some sadness, he concludes that if he wants to keep his sanity, he needs to stop thinking like a free man. Meursault is forced to live in a cell without his cigarettes and with limited visitation rights. When this happens, Meursault recalls when his mother told him. "One gets used to everything." Meursault soon realizes he is not going to get out of jail, and becomes indifferent once again. He states, “I can honestly say that the time from summer to summer went very quickly. And I knew as soon as the weather turned hot that something was in store for me.” This quote is important for two reasons. First, he shows that he has accepted his situation and defied punishment by becoming complacent in jail. Secondly, it foreshadows his demise.

Some topics in this essay:
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