Absurdity in 'The Outsider'

A discussion of how the theme of an absurd universe relates to characters in Albert Camus' classic novel 'The Outsider'.

2,015 words () | 0 sources | 2003 Australia

Paper Summary:

Description of the concept of aburdity and its history as a literary idea. Broad analysis of how character of Meursault embraces this view of an absurd life. Specific analysis of key incidents which highlight this in the text.

From the Paper:

"Absurdism is a literary idea that began to grow in the 1920s and prospered as people sought to explain the wars and hardships that plagued the world at that time. Its basic principle is that life doesn't matter. People are powerless to really change their lives or the lives of others, and so humanity is basically useless. No matter how brilliantly or terribly we live our lives, whether we are a doctor or a murderer, we will eventually die and be left with nothing. The world is therefore meaningless, but humanity is constantly trying to explain its own existence. People are searching for something they can never possibly find. It is an absurd search."

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APA Citation:

Absurdity in 'The Outsider' (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.academon.com.au/Analytical-Essay-Absurdity-in-'The-Outsider'/45264