Free Essay

The Outsider

In: English and Literature

Submitted By moyaisabelle
Words 1472
Pages 6
The Outsider – Albert Camus
Albert Camus presents ideas of identity and the human condition in his classic novel The Outsider, through his exploration of gender and cultural representations as well as an insight into absurdum and existentialism. These concepts of identity and the human condition reflect on the society in which the novella has been set, demonstrating how women, those of other cultures and those who are considered to be different are represented. The novella tells a recollection of events of a young man named Meursault, emotionally detached from a society where he refuses to conform to society’s conventions and in turn a refusal to ‘play the game’. The novella begins with the death of Meursault’s mother and ends with his own, his execution for the guiltless murder of an Arab man. Meursault’s refusal to play the game and willingness to live by his own set of rules is what has him condemned in the end.
In the patriarchal society known to the characters of The Outsider by Albert Camus, gender ideologies are explored. In the novella, men are represented as the dominant, powerful gender while women are represented as weak and undermined. It is through the character of Meursault’s girlfriend Marie, that the idea of gender identity is revealed. When Meursault is arrested for the murder of the Arab man, Marie is called to court as a witness to the crime, as well as been questioned for her own character. At the court case, instead of Marie being asked for her recollection of the events that took place on the night of the murder, she is interrogated about her relationship with Meursault, in particular her sexuality. ‘He therefore asked Marie to describe the day on which I had intercourse with her’ (page 90) The judge and the jury manipulate the information given from Marie creating the illusion that she is rather promiscuous and uses her sexuality to get what she wants, casting her an unreliable witness and thus any positivity towards Meursault’s case is brushed away. This act of dismissal from someone of authority, displays how women are undermined in this society.
Gender is also represented in the novella through the character of Meursault’s friend, Raymond, in which he displays ideas of a male dominated society. Raymond presents this idea of male dominance through his relationship with his girlfriend, through the violent acts he commits towards her. He beats her if she does not obey his commands and treats her if she is a much lesser person compared to him. The idea of male dominance is amplified when a police officer is called to the scene of a violent domestic between the couple. When the officer arrives and sees Raymond in her condition after being beaten he sends her home without word of what had happened. He then informs Raymond to wait to be called for questioning. ‘He was to wait in is room until he was summoned to the police station’ (page 39). The policeman’s actions towards the situation, shows what little importance violence towards women has on this society. Raymond’s actions would be seen to at a later date rather than be addressed at the time of incident which portrays the idea that women are of very little importance.
Camus presents ideas of identity in his classic novella The Outsider through cultural representations. The novella is set in French colonial Algeria where the French run the country leaving the Arab population is condemned for a life of unacceptance and division. The language contained within the novella, particular the language of the protagonist Meursault defines how culture is represented in society. Meursault is always in touch with his senses, taking note of the world around him, always creating vivid images of the weather, the sun, all the physical aspects of the world in which he lives. This however is not the case for Meursault when it comes to the people around him. Meursault doesn’t often comment on those around him except when it comes to culture. ‘There was an Arab nurse’ (page 12) ‘I noticed two Arabs’ (page 54) ‘The Arabs where advancing’ (page 54). This constant reorganisation of the Arab culture when other cultures are not mentioned creates a division between the two cultures. The culture references in the novella show how culture is represented in society. Those in control leave the culture that is not in control isolated and divided.
Death plays a major role in the novella The Outsider. The story both begins and concludes with a death, creating the idea that death is all a part of the human condition; we all die in the end, which reveals Camus’ own ideologies of absurdism. Death is explored through the structure of the novella, through the parallels between the death of Meursault’s mother in the beginning and the lead up to his execution in the end. When Meursault’s, he shows what most would consider an unusual reaction to the death of a love one and accepts it. He shows little emotion to the subject and demonstrates his understanding of death, it is part of our human condition and he has no control over it. ’It’s not my fault’ (page 9). Majority of this absurdist content is addressed as Meursault awaits his execution in his prison cell. Whilst sitting there one evening, his thoughts wonder to the memory of Marie, as he tried to reason why she hadn’t written to him. It crossed his mind that she may be ill or dead, and again like with his mother, feels no emotion towards the possible death of his girlfriend. ‘It was the natural order of things… I wasn’t interested in her anymore if she was dead’ (page 110). Meursault sees life as nothing more than a lead up to death. He understands that life in inevitable and that there is nothing that can b done to stop it, and because of his great understanding of life and death, he accepts and embraces it. ‘I hadn’t done one thing whereas I had done another. So what? It was as if I had been waiting all along for this very moment… Nothing mattered and I knew why’ (page 115). Meursault is an absurd hero both on a figurative and a literal level. On a figurative level, as Meursault waits for his condemned death at his execution is shows that death is the only true part of our human condition, the only thing that is constant in our lives. On a literal level, Meursault represents the characteristics of an absurdist, ideologies of rebellion, freedom of self and true understanding of life and death.
In all existential thinking, there is underlying assumption that there is an absence of a god and an afterlife, therefore no real meaning to life itself. This existential thinking is the case for Meursault in Camus’ novella The Outsider. Meursault has no faith. He does not believe in god nor even at his time of death, does he wish to participate in the belief of a greater being. During the days in the lead up to his execution, Meursault is visited daily by the prison chaplain, each time asking if Meursault wished to find God in his last few days of living. And each time the chaplain arrives, Meursault casts him away in refusal to profess a faith he does not believe in. One night, not long before the date of Meursault’s execution the chaplain visits Meursault once again, and is finally let to sit and talk with him. He asked why for so long Meursault had refused to see him and he replies that it is because his lack of faith. The chaplain tries to get Meursault to admit his beliefs that all people, especially those faced with death have faith somewhere within them. But Meursault stays strong in with himself and admits that not now nor ever has he had any hope that there is a God. ‘Have you really no hope at all’… ‘yes’(page 112) Meursault challenges societies beliefs that religion is all important and that it must be followed. He goes against social constructions as a way to show that he lives by his own rules and wishes not to conform to a society he does not see fit to follow.
The Outsider by Albert Camus, give philosophical insight into ideas of the identity of gender and culture, and human conditioning of existentialism and absurdism. These ideas are presented through the protagonist Meursault and his characterisation and interactions with the world around him. The concepts explored reflect on the society in which the novella has been set, demonstrating how women, those of other cultures and those who are considered to be different are represented. Meursault’s detachment from society and his refusal to satisfy societies unspoken rules is what makes him an outsider.
Word count 1470

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Outsiders

...The novel, “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, is classified as Young Adult Fiction. In this novel, Hinton writes about real life situation teenagers go through. As for the teenagers in “The Outsiders”, social class is a major issue that brings most of the conflicts throughout the story. In this story, there are two types of people: the “Socs” and the “Greasers”. The Socs are a young and wealthy group who believe they are superior over the less fortunate. The Greasers are an example of a less fortunate group. The Greasers are “hoodlums” who live in the ghetto and are basically uneducated criminals who live in poverty.The Greasers get there name from the casual way the gang dresses, long hair that it greased constantly, and leather jackets. Ponyboy is the main Greaser character. Ponyboy has two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, and all three of them are in a gang. The Curtis’ boys have been through a lot since their parents died, and they are living each day trying to fend for themselves. Ponyboy is an intelligent young man who is constantly pushed to become something better than what he grew up to be by his two brothers. Ponyboy is walking home from school where he had been abruptly confronted by the West Side Soc who asked Ponyboy is he “needed a haircut” while he held his switchblade close to Ponyboy’s face. The Socs begin to beat Ponyboy up until Ponyboy’s brothers hear his death scream and quickly gather the gang along to the scene. Months before, another member of the...

Words: 1932 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

The Outsiders

...The Outsiders” takes you through a journey of struggle, violence, and death. It examines the life of a recently orphaned young man born into poverty confronted with the prejudices that he could not change. He struggles with the many conflicts between the lower class and the upper class youths. The Outsiders focuses on the life of Ponyboy Curtis who has two brothers, Darry and Sodapop, which belong to a group of young people that were called greasers. The Greasers defined as a group of hoodlums with a background of being poor, mean, and violent. Ponyboy’s brother, Darry, stepped in to support his family after their parents died in an automobile accident. Darry was a smart and serious person that worked most of the time, and was very hard on Ponyboy .He often yelled at Ponyboy to do better in school. Soda, the middle brother considered very handsome and likeable, was happy most of the time. The brothers often fought over Ponyboy’s future. They closely associated with two members of the greasers, Dally who was one of the oldest gang members and certainly the toughest, and Johnny who was shyer than Ponyboy. Dally seemed to enjoy being a criminal and thought the law was a joke. Johnny’s parents abused him, so he always seemed scared which made him the pet of the group. This story has many tragedies. The first tragedy in the story was when the socs jumped Ponyboy, who was walking home from the movies by himself. He was two blocks from home when he saw a red Corvair following him...

Words: 992 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

The Outsiders

...Danielle Nowak Ms. Adams English 8a November 14, 2012 Summary: Chapter 8 We couldn’t get along without him. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason. Two-Bit and Ponyboy go to see Johnny and Dally in the hospital. Johnny, weak and pale, whispers that he would like Ponyboy to finish reading Gone with the Wind to him. His mother shows up to visit, but she is a mean-spirited, nagging woman and Johnny refuses to see her. As Ponyboy and Two-Bit leave, she accosts them and blames them for Johnny’s condition, and Two-Bit insults her. Dally is recovering nicely in the hospital, and for the first time ever Ponyboy feels warmly toward Dally. Dally says that Tim Shepard, the leader of another gang of greasers, came in to talk about the rumble. Dally asks for Two-Bit’s black-handled switchblade, and Two-Bit gladly hands over his prized possession without even asking why Dally needs it. On the way home, Ponyboy and Two-Bit see Cherry Valance in her Corvette. She says that the Socs have agreed to fight with no weapons. Ponyboy asks her to go see Johnny, but she says she cannot because Johnny killed Bob. She says that Bob had a sweet side and was only violent when drunk, as he was when he beat up Johnny. Ponyboy calls her a traitor, but he quickly forgives her. He asks her if she can see the sunset on the West Side, and when she says she can, he tells her to remember that he can see it on the East Side too Chapters 11–12 Danielle Nowak Ms. Adams English 8a...

Words: 1198 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Being An Outsider

...To me, an outsider is a person that is different than the majority. People can become outsiders voluntarily or involuntarily. You can be in a different place, of a different ethnic background or just hanging out with people who you don’t share anything in common with. Sometimes being an outsider can be really important and life changing like Ponyboy, or it can be so minor such as being in a class with all girls. Being an outsider can be a positive or negative experience. Say, for Ponyboy, he gets jumped and lives in bad conditions but he has his friends to help him and support him. One instance that changed my view on other places by being an outsider was during summer camp. I have been going to the same camp for 8 years now and basically my second home. Camp and my own house is the two places on earth where I feel 100% at home and not at all an outsider. We were told the night before that we would be going on the Pawtucket Red Sox trip the upcoming day. I was very excited for the trip because I love minor league sports. We woke up at the crack of dawn, ate breakfast in the cafeteria and boarded the bus to Pawtucket. On the ride, I sat with Jason and I was very familiarized with everything around me for the start. We passed by my family's condo on the cape and the drive was exactly alike the 100s of drives I have done to Brewster and back to the mainland....

Words: 549 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Gangs In The Outsiders

...In the novel “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton there are two juvenile rival gangs. One of the gangs are called the Greasers. They Greasers are the east side “hoods” who live in the bad part of town containing not many members and are usually dressed in blue jeans and tshirts , greasing their long hair back. Unlike the Greasers the Socs have a average amount of members and live in the wealthy west side of town usually dressed in plaid designed clothing.The Socs and Greasers both deal with trying to find acceptance and belonging with their peers, finding approval from their guardians, and trying to stay entertained. Many...

Words: 900 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Ponyboy's The Outsiders

...We read the book the Outsiders there was some different physical appearances in the movie. There was diffrent parts in the book that were different in the movie. They had changed some of the characters and the way they looked. They had more explaining in the book then in the movie. We can hear and see in the movie and in the book we can't. There will be some of the differences about the book. Ponyboy's hair in the book was light brown reddish. And in the movie it was different he had it black. Two-bit mathews did not have sideburns in the movie, but in the book they did. Soda had a horse and they talked about it in the book, but in the movie they didn't mention the horse at all. The book expresses feelings of the characters and explains what...

Words: 300 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Outsiders Comparison

...Can two people be similar? They grew up so different? Is this even possible? However in S.E Hinton’s novel The Outsiders, there are two characters. Johnny Cade and Dally Winston are similar because they both have neglectful parents and they both care about each other. Despite their similarities they also have differences, Johnny and Dally have different ways how they died and how Dally tries to break laws and Johnny stays away from breaking laws. Therefore, Dally Winston and Johnny Cade although they have similarities in some significant ways, they also are quite different. Johnny Cade and Dally Winston have one significant similarity and that is they both have neglectful parents. For example, Dally is arrested at the age of ten in New York while beginning in a gang. If Dally’s parents gave him more attention he would have not have gone to jail so young. Dally only mentions his father once to say, “‘ Shoot, my old man don't give a hang whether I’m in jail...

Words: 1023 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Dishonorable In The Outsiders

...Reasons for Greasers to be Dishonorable Is there honor among the lawless? I think not. In the book The Outsiders by S.E Hinton is a book about a group of greasers who live in a poor neighborhood and are against a group of soc’s. The greasers do a lot of dishonorable things and they always get mistreated because of it. But the soc’s since they live on the south side they are rich and they can always use anything against the greasers to get them in trouble. The greasers from The outsiders are not honorable because they steal, murder people, and threaten to kill people with blades. In The outsiders, the greasers do a lot of dishonorable stuff. For example, Dally robbed a grocery store and was running from the cops. In the book it quotes that “ It was Dally... he just robbed a grocery store and the cops are after him we gotta hide him..” (157). This is dishonorable because what person robs a store and then pulls a gun out at the cops and starts shooting and calls that honorable. Doing all that stuff was cowardly of Dally because since he didn’t want to feel...

Words: 849 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Relationships In The Outsiders

...Depending on what age you are, you might've read a book called "The Outsiders". If you haven't "The Outsiders" is a book about the rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs, but mostly focuses on Ponyboy, who is the main character, and his choices throughout his life. In this essay, we're going to talk about how Ponyboys relationships change throughout the story. The first major change in a relationship is when Ponyboy comes home late after he accidentally fell asleep at the "lot" Once he comes home his brother Darry yells at him. (Page 43-44) "It sounded dumb, even to me, when I stammered, "I... I went to sleep in the lot..." "You what?" He was shouting, and Sodapop sat up and rubbed his eyes. " "He should never yell at Soda. Nobody should...

Words: 612 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Outsiders Summary

...S.E. Hinton wrote a book that shows many themes of teenage life in 180 pages. Here’s a little bit about the author, S.E. Hinton. S.E. Hinton starting writing the book The Outsiders at the age of 15, but did most of the work when she was 16. Also, she uses her Initials instead of her full name, Susan Eloise Hinton, because her publisher was afraid that the reviewers would think that a girl couldn’t write a book like The Outsiders. A quick summary is this book there are two main groups. The Socs and The Greasers, in which is Ponyboy the protagonist of this story. Both groups do the same things, such as beating people up and robbing stores, but the Socs are favored because of stereotypes. Life is pretty normal for ponyboy until one night Johnny Cade, another member of Ponyboy’s...

Words: 938 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Stereotypes In The Outsiders

...Ponyboy is a greaser in the book The Outsiders by S.E Hinton. Ponyboy plays the narrator and the protagonist in the book. If you were to meet this character for the first time most likely some ideas about him would come to your head, but some of those ideas could be a stereotype. A stereotype is a belief about a group of people based on a common characteristic but is not necessarily true. Some stereotypes of Ponyboy could be he is a criminal, thief, does not care about school, and does bad things to people; however, these are not true. A stereotype for ponyboy of being a gang member is that he is a criminal and does bad things to other people. Some people would have many stereotypes about Ponyboy like if he is in a gang he is a criminal but that not true. Ponyboy is a gang member but he is not a criminal ponyboy helps lots of people out. There are many ways he has helped people, for instance, he saved 8 little kids lives from a burning building without hesitation. Furthermore, people may think he is a thief or a drug dealer for his gang. Ponyboy is not a thief or is involved with drugs in the book it never said anything about ponyboy being into drugs or a thief. When most people think of greasers or gang...

Words: 488 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Summary: The Outsiders

...The adolescents are struggling these days. In the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton describes the main character Ponyboy also known as Curtis is in a gang called the Greasers. The Greasers always thought that the Socs had it better than them, but they found out that the Socs are cool to the point of not feeling anything. In the article, “The Allure of Gangs” it also describes why kids join gangs and what leads them into conflicts, like in The Outsiders. However in the article “Cool at 13, Adrift at 23” it shows how the influence of their childhood plays a role later in life. In The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton it describes two groups of teenagers who have so many differences. In the book it says the Greasers were the poor kids and lived on the East Side. On the other hand, the Socs were the rich kids and lived on the West Side. The Socs were always getting drunk and looking for fights with the greasers. However to the public, the Socs were seen as good kids who didn't get into any trouble. On the other hand, the Greasers were seen unruly and unlawful to the...

Words: 880 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Sacrifice In The Outsiders

...“Unity is strength….when there is teamwork marvelous things can be achieved” - Mattie Stepanek. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a story about sacrifice, social classes, and coming of age. With loyal gangs going head to head so they can show who is the “Creme of the Crop.” Only one theme evident in The Outsiders is stay united, through sacrifice brings people together. Next In the chapters 1- 4 on The Outsiders, one way The Outsiders identifies sacrifice in the exposition. A quote that shows it that is “I killed him, I killed that boy”(49) he said the police are coming we gota’ go. Johnny knew what he was doing, he knew he was either going to watch someone die or kill someone ruining the rest of his life for Ponyboy. Which shows him sacrificing...

Words: 384 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Speech On The Outsiders

..."When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home." Good Morning boys and staff. I am here on behalf of Penguin publishing to sell you The Outsiders. The outsiders is a 50 year old book, written by S.E Hinton and first published by Viking publishers. Some say it is out dated and some say it is too old for a 14 year old school boy. But this is incorrect. I believe that the outsiders is tremendously relevant to 14 year old boy’s daily lives and so will you. The characters in the novel are very easy to relate to as they experience in some cases the same sort of things that a boy of your age would, such as drinking, drug use, smoking and violence. Ponyboy is the main character in the novel he is haunted by the death of his parents and during the novel he faces some very tough situations and issues. Dally Winston is another character in the novel he is from the tough streets of New York City. Dally is a rough mean greaser who doesn’t mind a rumble or two. Johnny is Ponyboy’s best mate. He has problems with his mother and father. Johnny also experiences some very tough issues and situations with Ponyboy alongside him. “Stay golden Ponyboy stay gold,” When Johnny says this he means that Ponyboy is a...

Words: 494 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Violence In The Outsiders

...The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton is about gang rivalry between two social classes, the poor and powerless Greasers and the rich and appealing Socs. The Greasers disliked the Socs because they believed the Socs had everything easy with their money and privileges. On the other hand, the Socs have been always drunk and choose to pick fights with the Greasers. These gang fights, or “rumbles” would usually consist of violence, brutality, and competition, and result in bruises, wounds, and at times, death. Moreover, violence is a “behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.” Throughout this novel, there are many significant events that portray the theme of violence. To begin with, physical violence is represented in The Outsiders. The Greasers carry around and use weapons such as guns and switchblades whenever a Soc wanted to fight or jump them. As an example, in chapter 4, Johnny stabbed Bob with a switchblade at the park and stated that he had killed him in self- defense...

Words: 519 - Pages: 3