Journal #3

Albert Camus purposefully divided The Stranger into two parts. Meursault experiences a change between the first and second part in the story. He starts off as a character that is disconnected from society and a person that doesn't display his emotions. The first five chapters each start off the same way with Meursault being at the office, "I worked hard at the office today" (25). This highlights Meursault's mundane and repetitive life. Additionally, Meursault transforms as a character from part one to part two. His relationship with women changes dramatically. In part one, Meursault and his mother, Maman, have a relationship that is unique and unlike the norm because they didn't spend much time together. Although, in part two, Meursault shows his emotion for Marie. This is exemplified while he is imprisoned for killing the Arab. The young man is contrasted with Meursault because the young man lacks emotional attachment, "The young man and his mother were still staring at each other" (75). Also, the prisoner uses the same endearment of "Maman" when he says good-bye to his mother which Meursault called his mother in the part one. When Meursault is in prison he no longer behaves this way, because he shows how much he misses Marie, and he says, "I was tormented by my desire for a woman" (77). He misses his freedom and is tortured by not being able to be with women. Also, the syntax changes from part one to part two. In part one, the sentences are short, choppy and direct. In contrast, the sentence structure in part two is different, they are longer and Meursault begins to voice his thoughts about his feelings.