Camus' The Outsider

Joseph Campbell has noted that modern literature generally deals with the tragedy of life. Since the early twentieth century, writers have emphasized the idea that there is no God or future bliss to counteract the despair of existence. By contrast, the happy endings in fairy tales and myths provide "a transcendence of the universal tragedy of man." Although Campbell is correct that modern literature generally refuses to have happy endings, it nonetheless also tends to amplify the possibilities of a happy ending. In this way, it fulfills a deep psychic need in modern culture: to balance the "universal tragedy of man" with the "happy ending of the fairy tale, the myth and the divine comedy of the soul." Albert Camus' The Outsider is an excellent example of this.

The character Meursault in The Outsider refuses to accept the arbitrary rules of society. For example, he refuses to cry at his mother's funeral even though it is expected of him. Meursault is depicted as a person who is indifferent to such social conventions. In addition, he is depicted as a person who is unwilling to lie to others about his indifference. Thus, when his girlfriend Marie asks him if he loves her, he does not spare her feelings but replies bluntly "that it didn't mean anything but that I probably didn't" (Camus, 1983, p. 44). It is also revealed that Meursault does not believe in God or religion. For him, there is no meaning behind the things that happen in his life. As a result of his indif

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t have destroyed his happiness" (Lazere, 1973, p. 166). In addition, various scholars have argued that a happy ending is concealed within the tragic conclusion of The Outsider. For example, Lazere has claimed that Meursault attains happiness of a sort because he becomes resigned to his fate. At the end of the novel, Meursault does not regret his actions and is actually looking forward to his death. He has become completely detached from the pain and suffering of life. According to Lazere, "although his passions still cling to life despite his reasoning, his rage against the chaplain finally swings the balance, leaving him emotionally as well as intellectually indifferent to life" (p. 167). Rhein has also noted that Meursault learns to accept life despite its inherent tragedy. According to Rhein, The Outsider provides an "affirmation of life" in which Meursault does not reject life in the end but rather embraces it despite all its faults. In Rhein's words: "Near death, he learns that life with all of its irrationality is not only worth living, but that it offers him his only chance for happiness" (p. 21). Thody is yet another literary writer who has noted that the tragic ending of The Outsider contains a happy message. T

Category: Literature - C