Characters
Author/His Philosophy
Plot Questions: Part 1
Quotes
Misc.
100
The main character in the novel, who is psychologically detached from the world.
Who is Meursault?
100
The place that The Stranger takes place.
Where is Algiers, Algeria?
100
Why can't Marie visit Meursault in jail anymore?
She is not his wife
100
This character states, "Suppose another girl had asked you to marry her- I mean a girl you liked in the same way you like me- would you have said 'yes' to her, too?"
Who is Marie?
100
How do Marie and Meursault spend their first date?
They go swimming together, watch a comedy at the movies, and Marie ends up staying the night.
200
This character yearns for Meursault's attention and wishes for marriage.
Who is Marie?
200
Often compared to absurdism, but is considered a more positive philosophy.
What is existentialism?
200
What is one reason Meursault cites for putting his mother in a home?
He didn't have the money to hire private help, he no longer has anything to talk to her about
200
This character states, "His coat was the best thing about him"
Who is Salamano?
200
Who is the absurd hero that Camus compares with Meursault?
Who is Sisyphus?
300
This character displays grief over a passing loved one, which contrasts to Meursault's emotions when his mother dies.
Who is Salamano?
300
What are the three solutions to the problem posed by the absurd?
What is acceptance, faith (in a religion or deity), suicide
300
What are three examples in which Meursault experiences a shift in mood due to a sensory experience?
At Maman's funeral, when he kills the Arab man, and when he is at the trial. (Other answers accepted as well.)
300
This character states, "I, anyhow, am a Christian. And I pray Him to forgive you for your sins. My poor young man, how can you not believe that He suffered for your sake?"
Who is the Magistrate?
300
According to absurdists, why does religion exist?
To construct meaning and purpose for our existence; deny the contradiction between us and the universe
400
Who is the person who owns the house on the beach where Meursault and his friends are hanging out at the day the Arab is murdered?
Who is Masson?
400
What is the absurd?
The continued tendency of man to try and find meaning in a meaningless universe.
400
What is Meursault's issue with the guillotine?
The condemned man was forced into a "moral collaboration" with those who are executing him.
400
Who said, "If you go slowly, you risk getting sunstroke. But if you go too fast, you work up a sweat and then catch a chill inside the church."?
The Arab Nurse
400
In what ways is Sisyphus similar to Meursault?
They both realize that while they are forced to live in tragic situations created by fate, they might as well make the most of their circumstances. Both men have a love for life and resist the illusion of natural order.
500
This character, a loyal friend to Meursault, blames the murder on a case of bad luck when testifying at the trial.
Who is Celeste?
500
According to absurdism, how do individuals seek meaning in a meaningless universe?
Accept that the world is absurd and continue to live in spite of it. Only then can people create individual personal meaning in their lives
500
Describe what happens to the man in the newspaper article clipping that Meursault keeps in his cell.
A man got rich and returns to his village to surprise his mother and sister after 25 years. He takes a room in their hotel anonymously, as a joke. Not recognizing him, his mother and sister stab him to death to rob him in the night. When they find out what they've done, they kill themselves. *Supports the notion that life and its events are meaningless
500
"You understand, I was too sad. So I don't see anything. My sadness made it impossible to see anything. Because for me it was a very great sadness. And I even fainted. So I wasn't able to see monsieur."
Who is Thomas Perez? (p. 91)
500
What happens in Meursault's final conversation with the chaplain?
He becomes a true absurdist: he is accepting of his fate, but he continues to live in spite of it. (No longer is motivated by false hope.)
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