Journal #2 - The Stranger

• Pick one of the following two prompts to respond to
• Option 1: What symbolic role does the sun/light play in the novel? What themes does this symbolism develop?
• Option 2: Evaluate the author's use of first person point of view. Why didn't Camus choose third person omniscient? How is his choice of point of view related to Camus' purpose/themes in the novel.

Option #2

   The author uses first-person view point to push a personal experience from Camus, himself. By writing in first-person, Camus is able to use his personal beliefs, like absurd, and personal experience, like his time in Paris. Although Camus does not get convicted to death, he uses first-person to demonstrate criticisms to those who don't follow society. For during his time of life, WWII had started and there was criticism against the Jews, and other effected races. In The Stranger, Camus uses many characters to illustrate this point. 

Journal # 1 - The Stranger

• Closely examine 3 of the minor characters Camus has introduced. How are the characters described and what role do they play? What is Camus trying to accomplish/reveal with each of these characters?

Marie Cardona: a former typist at Meursault's work. She becomes Meursault's girlfriend. But through the eyes of Meursault, we see as a desire in Meursault's life. Camus uses her to display that the protagonist does have wants and need, and that can display an uncontrol element in the protagonist's controlled/ logical approach to life.

Raymond Sint'es: a self-confedent "warehouse guard", rumored to be a "pimp" or  "a man to live off woman". He becomes Meursault's pal, and means to break the strandard of society. While we, the reader, can see the expressed bits of existentialism; it pushes the reasons why the Western culture views existentialism as the "beleif of immorality".

Old Salamano: an aging, yellowing old man and his skin diseased, beaten dog. He is Meursault's neighbor, and a reflection of interal expression vs. external expression. While outwardly Salamano appears to be voilent to his dog, he expresses himself to Meursault, after losting his dog, deeply passionate and caring affection to his dog. This displays to the reader that even if Meursault doesn't outwardly states that he loves his "Maman", small hints in describe languages shows that he cares.