case study 2 the outsider

Analysis: The Outsider by Albert Camus

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thanks for your thorough review. I remember studying it at school decades ago. if you are interested, you could link it to my French meme. here is the latest post. just use the mr Lnky at the end: http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/02/01/i-love-france-14-review-6-2012-paris-my-sweet/

No problem, glad you enjoyed it. It's taken me a while to find the time to sit down and write it :) I'm baffled and confused by memes, but I shall stop by and see if I can get my poor librarian's head around it :)

Hmm, I feel quite stupid now. But basically the main character does not want to conform to society, because that would mean losing the authenticity, right? And the only way to be part of society means to make compromises, which again he doesn't want to do, because that wouldn't be truthful. So he is indifferent and alienated. And with this attitude he ends up dead. It's actually quite Lacanian. The idea not to conform to the Imaginary (society) and being really truthful to yourself (to the Real). Lacan said that we should never give up on our jouissance, which comes from the Real, and we should follow it, but never too much, because that would mean self-destruction. And indeed that's the case of Meursault and also Esther from The Bell Jar you mentioned in the comments under your review. Both stories are very provoking and make us ask a lot of questions, and not surprisingly give us no answers :) Many people conform to society without really thinking about it twice and there's nothing real left about them. But I agree with Lacan, we should follow what we really are but not too much. We have to make compromises sometimes in order to be able to afford some authenticity. That seems to be the only way how to live a life worth living. Of course, it can be really tiring sometimes, but I guess it's worth it. The "facing our own mortality" part reminds me of Heidegger and especially of Blow-Up, even though it's different in this case. The guy is also very indifferent, but there's nothing Kantian about his behaviour :) And the "facing mortality" moment makes him think and in the end he conforms to the world around him.

And obviously when I said the Imaginary I meant the Symbolic.

I don’t know. I’m not sure that Meursault actively chooses not to conform, he seems to me to be a wholly passive character, who through his inaction and disconnection with the world, comes to represent the philosophical ideas that Camus is looking at. It’s a good point about Lacan, I think I remember reading an interpretation of The Outsider using Lacanian psychoanalytic theory, and found it an interesting read. Again, I’m not convinced Meursault is chasing jouissance; he seems to me to be disinterested by any of life’s pleasures or pains, to see them as arbitrary activities like all the other happenings that make up the sum of his life. However, I suspect I’m not as familiar with Lacanian thinking as you, so do put me right! I know even less about Heidegger, so you can definitely fill me in on that score :) I do remember reading about Heidegger’s idea that silence is the authentic and natural form of communication, which is a pertinent and interesting idea, but that’s as far as my knowledge extends I’m afraid. So clue me up – you’re clearly a philosopher in the making. (Just try not to make me look too silly, eh ;) )

Haha, my knowledge of philosophy is superficial. Actually after reading your analysis I thought you were the philosopher here :) That's true. he's not following his jouissance, he's indifferent. But what caused his indifference? From what I got, it was the clash between society, its ideas and absurdity and him and his very different ideas? And because he didn't want to accept what society wants, he became indifferent and passive? But I'm not sure, maybe I should read it first and then try to talk about it, I know :) And I see his indifference as hibernation, symbolic death, because however absurd things might be, is indifference and passivity a solution? That's what I meant, but I'm not sure if I made it any clearer now? Heidegger had this idea of River of Time which symbolizes eternity, and on the river banks there are things like everydayness or busyness. And people usually tend to be there, because it's safe, but also inauthentic. And sometimes there are moments in our lives which move us in the middle of the river, into the deep channel, where we suddenly realize we are mortal beings. It's very authentic and life changing moment. But it's not safe to stay in the middle of the river for too long, as it can be dangerous. And I mentioned Blow-Up, because Antonioni was (at least it's what they say) influenced by Heidegger and it kind of fits. But it was just the "facing mortality" part that reminded me of this (well, Lacan, too), and I find it interesting :)

Actually, that’s a lot clearer, or at least more in line with my own reading (so not necessarily more accurate ;P) It’s slightly tricky, because Meursault doesn’t appear to have a conscious knowledge of the absurd until the second part of the novel, and yet his behaviour, his isolation, appears to indicate an understanding the absurd. Do read it, then you can tell me what you reckon to this. I really like the River of Time metaphor, it certainly illustrates a good point, well. And as it goes, I’m quite happy sitting on the riverbank dangling my toes into the river of authenticity. It’s probably the best thing; I’m not a very good swimmer. ;) Ah, ok. I’ve just picked up a copy of the DVD of Blow-Up from the library so I can see what you’re talking about. Hope it’s worth the watch.

:) Now I what you meant by philosophical. I am not into philosophy to comment but what I thought of the book was much simpler. :) But your analysis made me rewind and rethink. :) ! I will read my books more carefully and with utmost dedication. :) Thanks a lot Matthew for this. :)

Now wait a minute, Matthew, who was that person who told me about boring middles and about the great unexpected extremes? :P Not a good swimmer? You know what's good for that? When someone throws you right into the deep water, the way babies learn to swim ;)) Anyway, I don't think it's possible to have a mundane life with rich inner life :) And there are times in our lives when we find ourselves in the middle of the river whether we want it or not. But that's alright. It makes us appreciate life and realize what's really important :) Hope you'll enjoy the movie. And I hope I'll find a copy of The Outsider somewhere.

@Divenita Yes, a lot of philosophical novels work on a number of levels, but I don’t think The Outsider is very satisfying when read purely as fiction. I’m glad if my analysis helped to make you think about the book – my thoughts are a bit scatter-brain, but hopefully there’s some worthwhile points in there :)

@ Petra Oh, no – but I’m dangling my feet in – anything could happen; a stray carp could nibble on my toes, some reckless fiend from the middle could splash my exposed legs. Whole world or terrifying possibilities. Yep, pretty much never dull when you’ve got all sorts flying around your noggin. I’ll let you know how the movie goes.

Oh yeah, a stray carp does sound dangerous! OK, there's Jimmy Page in it, for a few moments :)

Haha, really? I'll look out for that!

Well, the whole Yardbirds actually, but I focus on him :)

This blog is cool.

Thank you very much for sharing with us this analysis of The Outsider - It puts in words things I was just feeling when reading the book.

Thanks very much Gisela, I'm always pleased to hear from new readers. It's been a while since I loaded this piece up, but I'm glad people are still finding it :)

oooo thanks for this it's so indepth/will be really useful for my coursework! x

No problem, Frances - hope it helps! I'm afraid it's a bit scatter-brain, but if there's anything of use, I'm glad. Good luck with the coursework! :)

Meursault is a man who does not lie here Camus has presented the true meaning of lie which we people believe not to speak untrue, but in truth lie is not only the thing which is untrue but the behavior done by us . we speak lie to escape or to avoid situation, but we are trying to create excuses.

I have to say I always hated The Stranger, and still do, but am continually drawn to it. I could never get over the basic fact that a man murdered another man in cold blood and he simply must owe the universe a penalty for it, and yet Camus does a clever job of subverting our paradigms and challenging even our most basic, fundamental beliefs about existence.

I always hated The Stranger, and yet it always draws me back. It seems like such a simple case—man murders other man in cold blood, must pay penalty. And yet he uses circumstances to make us empathize with this man's absurd experience with the universe. I almost want to shrug with him and find meaning in coming to terms with my fate in the same way. Very powerful.

I always welcome comments...

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Case Study (The Outsider)

The Outsider

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Part 2: “Sorry”

Part 2, chapters 1-3 summary.

Terry’s lawyer, Howie Gold, hires retired State Police Officer Alec Pelley to check out Terry’s Cap City alibi. Samuels and Ralph are also looking into Terry’s alibi. All three of the other teachers at the conference confirm that Terry was never out of their sight. Ralph can’t come up with any scenario that can explain the conflicting evidence. When Ralph’s wife, Jeannie, hears about Terry’s apparently unshakable alibi, she remembers an Edgar Allan Poe story called “William Wilson.” In the story, Wilson is haunted by a double. Jeannie suggests that Terry might have conspired with someone who resembled him.

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Ralph can’t see how a look-alike could have spent two days with Terry’s friends without them noticing. If this were a mystery novel, he thinks, the brilliant detective would pull out an explanation in the last chapter and clarify everything, but one thing can’t be denied: Nobody can be in two places at once.

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