Remembering Camus

On Albert Camus’ birthday I suddenly remembered his 1942 novella ‘The Stranger’ - also published in English as The Outsider.

When I first read the book, I read it the way I would read any other work of fiction. Little did I realize the book is actually a work of existential philosophy, meant to be understood at so many levels.

Consider, for instance, the opening line of the book “Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday”.  At first glance, there is nothing unusual about that sentence. It seems very ordinary. But concealed in the ordinary is the extraordinary. The line is deceptively simple but at the same time encapsulates the tone of detachments and indifference that characterizes Meursault, the Protagonist. The lack of emotional sentiment or elaboration about his mother's death immediately establishes the peculiar and almost apathetic nature of Meurault, which sets the stage for the philosophical exploration of existential themes throughout the book.

The novel delves into existential themes (Camus, interestingly, denies he was an ‘Existentialist’), exploring the “absurdity” of life and the consequences of Meursault's philosophical detachment from societal norms and expectations. Meursault's existential outlook and indifference to social conventions leave the reader questioning the nature of morality, justice, and the very essence of human existence.

Camus uses Meursault's trial and subsequent introspection as a lens to examine the absurdity of life, the conflict between societal values and individual freedom, and the inevitability of death. The narrative offers a stark portrayal of a man who lives outside the norms of society, questioning the very fabric of human existence.

It is through this narrative that Camus explores the concept of "THE ABSURD" in existentialist philosophy. It refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent meaning in life and the inability to find any. The ABSURD emerges from the disconnect between our need for purpose and the indifference of the universe.

Camus was born in French Algeria, and his experiences and identity were strongly influenced by this background. He had a deep connection to both French and Algerian cultures. He was known for his strong stance against injustice and oppression. He criticized colonialism and the injustices inflicted upon the Algerian people by the French colonial administration. In his writings and public statements, he advocated for a more equitable relationship between France and Algeria.

Camus was awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature “for his important literary production, which with clear-sighted earnestness illuminates the problems of the human conscience of our times.”