Our lifespan is just a fraction of a millisecond on the universe’s timeline. What is the meaning of our existence? What happens when we die? Is there a god? These questions are a major part of absurdism, a branch of existentialism. Philosophers believe it is absurd searching for a purpose in life in such a meaningless universe. French philosopher Albert Camus illustrates these thoughts in his novel The Stranger. His views are displayed through the main protagonist and absurd hero, Meursault. A rebel who embraces their existence in the meaninglessness of the universe. Meursault recognizes the absurdity of the human condition by finding happiness through the struggle itself. When on trial for murder, he doesn’t try to defend his actions, instead, he accepts his situation and experiences peace and contentment. Meursault finds happiness through self reflection, awareness of one’s character and actions, leading him to acknowledge the indifference of the universe, admiration of the physical world, and the power to maintain his authenticity.
Meursault achieves part of his happiness by acknowledging how indifferent he is to the world. He is aware that life doesn’t continue after death and there is no redeeming qualities or purpose. The only thing that is promised in life is death. Camus believes that because humans all eventually experience death, our lives and what we accomplish in them are meaningless. The idea that we will have no importance or remembrance after we die. Meursault grasps this during the days leading up to his execution. He asserts, “I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much like myself— so like a brother, really—I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again” (122). Meursault realizes that the universe’s indifference to humans is similar to his own indifference to his personal relationships. Specifically his disconnect to his mother’s death. While prosecuted in court, he reflected on his lack of emotion and remorse of her passing. Meursault uses this epiphany to enjoy his last days and even connects this situation to his mothers final days. She knew she was going to die soon as well as everyone around her. Instead of anticipating her death, she decided to take on another fiancé and start over again. Being so close to death, she felt free to enjoy what she had and the situation she was in. Meursault’s realization of this allowed him to make the most out of his remaining days. His self reflection allowed him to take pride in his position of being an outsider in society. His only wish was for him to feel less alone. He explains this further when he wishes, “that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate” (123). Meursault is indifferent, in this case the angry mob is the world, and he finds harmony in their indifference. He sees his future execution as the consummation of his understanding of the world. Meursault’s self reflection on his relationship to the universe allowed him to find peace in himself and the world around him.
Meursault’s admiration and focus on the physical features of the world rather than the social and emotional features also allows him to achieve his happiness. Throughout the novel, Meursault experiences physical pain and pleasure over emotional. When speaking to his lawyer for the first time he explains, “My nature was such that my physical needs often get in the way of my feelings” (65). When his Mother died, he didn’t have any immediate remorse or grief, instead he carried on with his life. Usually one would stay in and reminisce about their mother, but the next day he went to the beach and ended up going on a date with Marie. After being questioned in court why he shot the Arab he said, “it was because of the sun” (103). There was an uncomfortable glare from the sun that reflected off of the Arab’s knife that made him want to shoot him. A physical detail motivated him to shoot, not an emotional or psychological feeling. At the end of the novel when the chaplain is trying to persuade Meursault to believe in god and the next life to come, he disagrees with this and wants to focus on the present world and not a world to come. Moreover, he is not focused on what happens after death, if there is such a thing as a heaven or after life, he is only concerned with the present physical world he is living in. The chaplain even goes on to say Meursault must have wished for another life. In his defense, Meursault insists that any life is still sensual, and if he did wish for another life he only wanted different physical traits, to be rich, swim faster, and a nicer shaped mouth. He embraces the beauty of the world, the smells of the earth, and the sounds of the countryside which allows him to be even more content with his situation. He self reflected on this at the end of the novel when his death was imminent. Meursault often allowed the weather and surroundings to dictate his actions but he was just being a man in the natural world. His attention often centered on his own body, his physical relationship with Marie, and other physical elements of his surroundings. His focus on the physical world allowed him to not get caught up emotionally and psychologically, which ultimately helped him to achieve happiness in the end.
Meursault maintaining his authenticity was another step to his happiness. At the end of the novel, he is able to die happy because he is able to come to terms with himself as part the universe’s existence as a whole, and live authentically. He doesn’t change for other people. Whether it is him not crying at his mother’s funeral or changing his religious beliefs, he doesn’t believe in the social norms. When Marie came up to him asking if he wants to get married he says, “It didn’t make any difference to me and that we could if she wanted to” (41). Meursault doesn’t base his actions on what society expects him to do. He didn’t see a reasoning to have married Marie, he was going to be with her with or without the title. During the chaplain’s final plea to Meursault, he told him that every man in his situation has turned to god. Meursault doesn’t understand this social norm and wasn’t going to abide to this rule. He didn’t believe in god before speaking to the chaplain and wasn’t going to change his beliefs after. These situations were a test to his authenticity. His self reflection of his authenticity at the end allowed him to face his death happily.
Meursault’s awareness of the indifference of the universe, his focus on the physical world, and staying true to himself came from self reflection leading him to achieve happiness. He goes through a period of self reflection while on trial and the days leading up to his execution. Ironically, Meursault’s severe punishment is what allowed him to achieve this happiness. Through his punishment, he realized the absurdity of the universe. Absurdity is not in humans or the physical world, instead it arises in contradiction of the two. Meursault didn’t see a difference in dying by execution or dying years later by natural causes. His self awareness and reflection is what helps him remain at peace. Unfortunately his life got cut short, he had a future with Marie and a possible job opportunity in another city. Given every day isn’t promised, life should be lived to its fullest in every moment. Enjoying everything you have in the present and not worrying about the future will increase one’s happiness. The beauty of the Earth alone is enough to make someone happy. No one chose or asked to be put on this planet, and we aren’t going to be here for much longer, so we should embrace who we are and what we have. Enjoy right now, today.