Journal #8: Why does Camus create a part 1 and part 2?

Meursault goes to jail in part 2, which takes away his freedom. It's an entirely new perspective for him, and it changes his mindset. He reflects on his thoughts a lot more, and Camus creates a dynamic character. In part 1, Meursault lives physically, only reacting toward hunger, sleep, women and heat. I did not relate to the character at all. But Meursault gets more time to think about his life in part 2, after he kills a man and is sent to prison. It's kinda sick when he finds satisfaction in being questioned by authorities on a regular basis. "...I was almost surprised that I had ever enjoyed anything other than those rare moments when the judge would lead me to the door of his office, slap me on the shoulder, and say to me cordially, 'That's all for today, Monsieur Antichrist.' " (71) Meursault also changes in part 2 in that he gets a lot more attention, and responds with confusion and discomfort. It's another thing that he reflects on that, in part 1, he wouldn't have had much concern for. Camus creates two parts in order to portray the dynamic characterization of Meursault.

Journal #7: Answering others' questions on The Stranger.

1. Camus did not use powerful word choice in order to emphasize Meursault's indifference toward events in his life in general.

2. Camus uses contrast between Meursault's speech and others' speech to emphasize Meursault's disinterest to things going on around him.

3. Camus uses the sun and the sea to affect Meursault in order to portray that only physical discomfort has an effect on Meursault.

4. Camus does not use many symbols in order to convey that things in Meursault's life have no other meaning than the literal.

5. Camus creates a unique character in Meursault to emphasize the unique philosophy of existentialism.

7. Camus makes Meursault's life repetitive on order to emphasize the lack of meaning in his life.

8. Camus uses first person narrative to give an inside look of a character who lives without an idea of consequences.

9. Camus varies timewise to convey Meursault's lack of a grip on reality and how the world works.

It's my half birthday! :)

Journal #6

1. Word Choice
Why does Camus choose to use small word in The Stranger?
2. Sentences
Why does Camus only use statements in The Stranger, no exclamations or questions?
3. Images
Why does Camus use the image of heat?
4. Symbols
Why does Camus have a lack of symbols, and how does that portray a theme?
5. Figures of Speech
Why does Camus not use figures of speech, and what does that reveal about Meursault?
6. Rhetorical Devices
Why does Camus use short statements at the beginning of every chapter?
7. Patterns
Why does Camus use the motif of sleep?
8. Narrators
Why does Camus choose to use a first person objective character to tell the story?
9. Structure
Why does Camus choose to make days go by quickly, and how does it reflect a theme?

Journal #5: How does my personal philosophy affect my opinion of the book?

Well, to be honest, I made up my philosophy because I'm a cookie-cutter theist. I felt like being a little creative! But Meursault's interesting actions and responses of "it doesn't really matter" certainly go against my philosophy. Meursault acts because he sees no reason not to act, and tends to be absent of tense emotions. I tend to do what I think is right, I have a conscience and I have an idea of my consequences. Meursault has an absence of consequence in his thinking. When he shot the Arab, it was in response to him being "overheated", and his conscience had no say in the matter. He lives in the moment, which is not in my philosophy. But just because I don't approve of his lifestyle does not mean he is wrong, as difficult as it is to admit it! Some people may completely approve of how Meursault lives, and would rather live like him. But his absence of emotions like remorse, love and irritation is a bit unnerving.

Journal #4: Sun and Windows as Symbols

Journal #3: My Personal Philosophy

Tritheism: The philosophy that all humans' destinies are linked together under the power of three gods, each balancing the other out.

• Gods speak through holy prophets

The god cannot communicate with their subjects without a mouthpiece, which comes in the form of prophets.

• dreams come for people whose destinies will cross

A way to speak directly to the subjects when it is most important.

• Prophets live on Earth, like a royal family

People know that the prophets are holy, and when the prophet dies, their descendant becomes the next prophet

• Prophets are worshipped in churches, as well as the three gods
• Gods are omnicient

They have a hand in what is going on on Earth, in order to reveal destinies

• One god represents love, one represents dedication to the cause, and one represents the afterlife

They balance each other out, with the most important elements in life and death

• if you are dedicated to spreading the word of Tritheism, you will recieve love and a happy afterlife, which is your destiny.

This is the point of the philosophy, to have paradise when you die.