full title The Stranger or L’étranger
author Albert Camus
type of work Novel
genre Existential novel; crime drama
language French
time and place written Early 1940s,
France
date of first publication 1942
publisher Librairie Gallimard, France
narrator In Part One, Meursault narrates the events of the story
almost as they happen. In Part Two, he narrates the events of his
trial from jail, then moves into a more immediate narration in Chapter 5.
point of view Meursault narrates in the first person and limits his
account to his own thoughts and perceptions. His description of
the other characters is entirely subjective—that is, he does not
attempt to portray them in a neutral light or to understand their
thoughts and feelings.
tone Detached, sober, plain, at times subtly ironic
tense Shifts between immediate past (or real-time narration)
and more distant past, with occasional instances where Meursault
speaks in the present tense.
setting (time) Slightly before World War II
setting (place) Algeria
protagonist Meursault
major conflict After committing murder, Meursault struggles against
society’s attempts to manufacture and impose rational explanations
for his attitudes and actions. This struggle is embodied by Meursault’s
battle with the legal system that prosecutes him.
rising action Meursault relationship with Marie, his involvement
in Raymond’s affairs, his trip to Masson’s beach house, and his taking
of Raymond’s gun are the choices Meursault makes that lead up to
his killing of the Arab.
climax Meursault shoots a man, known as “the Arab,” for no
apparent reason.
falling action Meursault is arrested for murder, jailed, tried in
court, and sentenced to death. He then has an epiphany about “the
gentle indifference of the world” after arguing with the chaplain
about God’s existence.
themes The irrationality of the universe; the meaninglessness
of human life; the importance of the physical world
motifs Decay and death; watching and observation
symbols The courtroom; the crucifix
foreshadowing Madame Meursault’s friends watching Meursault foreshadows the
jury’s watching him in judgment.
