MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET Title:​The Stranger​ Author:​Albert

AP Literature
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
Title:​
The Stranger​
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Author:​
Albert Camus​
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Date of Publication: ​
1942​
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Genre:​
Philosophical​
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Historical Information about the period and place of
publication – what was happening in the world the
author lived in and how might that have influenced
him?
Biographical Information about the Author
Albert Camus was born on November 7, 1913
in the French colony Algeria. Although he
grew up poor, Camus was able to go to the
University of Algiers, but sickness caused him
to drop out. He eventually got a job in Paris
where he saw the horrors of World War II
directly. His experiences as a child and during
World War II had a large impact on his writing
for the rest of his life. Camus died in 1960 due
to an unfortunate automobile accident.
During Camus’ time, there was a lot of turmoil in the
world. This has to do with the two World Wars that
occurred during his lifetime. Due to the horrors that
occurred as a result of the two great wars, many people,
including Camus, developed an absurd view on the
world in which they lived.
Characteristics of the Genre
Philosophical novels are typically stories that
are meant to question a part of life. Questions
can relate to society, morals, purpose of life
and many other philosophical areas of
question. Ultimately, these novels are meant
for the reader to question his/her ideals and
create philosophical discussion.
Plot Summary
The Novel starts with Meursault, the narrator, attending his mother’s funeral. Meursault is disinterested
at the funeral and shows no emotion of sadness or grief at his mother’s death and he is more than happy
when the funeral is over for him to go home. The next day, Meursault spends the day with a former
co-worker, Maria Cardona, and when she disappears the next morning, Meursault spends the day on his
balcony watching the people on the street. The next day, his neighbor, Raymond, has him help him in a
plot to torment Raymond’s former mistress by writing a letter. Eventually, Raymond’s mistresses brother
gets in a fight with Raymond and afterwards, Meursault kills him for no apparent reason. When taken to
trial, the trial focuses on Meursault’s complete lack of morals and finds him guilty of murder. The book
ends with Meursualt accepting that there is no greater meaning with human existence.
Describe the author’s style
An example that demonstrates that style
The author focuses a lot of his writing on
the physical world. There is a lot of
description of the environment and of
other individuals in the story. Not a lot of
emotional discussion.
During the funeral of Meursault’s mother, the author,
instead of focusing on writing about Meursault’s emotions,
or lack of emotions, the author focuses on the constant heat
of the weather and actions of others.
Memorable Quotes
Quotation
Significance
“Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home; ‘Mother deceased. Funeral tommorrow. Faithfully yours’. That doesn’t There are the opening lines of the book and they show right off
the bat just how indifferent that Meursault is towards
everything.
mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday”.
Characters
Name
Role in the Story
Significance
Adjectives
Meursault
Main Character
Shows the ultimate message of
the view of absurdity of life.
detached,
honest, amoral
Raymond
Meursault’s neighbor
Is the main catalyst of the plot.
Maria
Meursault’s
girlfreind/co-worker
Shows Meursualt’s amoral
nature towards life.
Meursualt’s neighbor
His reaction to death opposes
that of Meursault.
Solamano
The Arab
Man that Meursault kills
Setting
His death shows Meursault’s
amoral nature.
immoral, cruel,
violent
Young, pretty,
energetic
attached,
grieving
mysterious,
strange
Significance of opening scene
The setting of the novel takes place in Algeria during
Camus’ time period. The book takes place during the
summer with very hot and humid weather.
The opening ultimately questions the moral
standards in dealing with death. While
everyone is emotional. Meursaul shows no
emotion and has no feeling towards his
mother’s death.
Significance of ending/closing scene
The ending scene shows Camus’ ultimate
message that there really is no general
meaning to human existence.
Symbols
1.
The Courtroom- Represents society wanting
to control human behavior.
2. The Crucifix- Represents religion and it’s opposition
to absurdest views.
3. Salamano’s dog- Represents societies need for
companionship despite facing inevitable death.
4. Heat- Represents indifference of the world to
human life.
5. Light/glare- Represents the physical world over
psychological thinking
Possible Themes
Old AP Questions
Leave Blank for Now
1.
The irrationality of greater meaning in life
2. Meaningless of human life
3. Importance of the physical world