Toufeili 002771-029 World Literature Paper 2 Assignment 3a: Formal Essay January 20 2010 Societal Conventions of Friendship in The

Outsider by Albert Camus

A friend is most commonly referred to as a person you know well and regard with affection and trust. It is difficult to define the ambiguous term friend, as it may vary in significance from one person to another. The French novel, The Outsider, written in 1942 by Albert Camus, is set in post-WW2 Algiers, and investigates the difference between friendship and companionship. The apathetic hero, Meursault, who adheres to an absurdist philosophy, seems to fall into friendships rather than work towards developing relationships with others. His evolution from passivity and self-induced isolation serves to highlight the search for acceptance and ultimate absurdity of friendship. Through a close exploration of Meursaults friendships throughout the novel, it is evident that Camus is challenging societal conventions of relationships and even the definition of the term friend. Meursaults lack of knowledge of social norms not only serves as characterization of his outsider status, but rather underscores the numerous rules society imposes upon people. As the novel is told from Meursaults point of view, the defamiliarization techniques and motif of observation further isolate him from society. While interacting with others, he often paraphrases their words and very little dialogue is added demonstrating a lack of connection and engagement in the conversation. Thus, Camus creates an awkward atmosphere through Meursaults unfamiliarity with societal norms. For example, while at the funeral, Meursault shook hands with the warden and held it for so long that he didnt quite know how to take it back again

Toufeili 002771-029 (Camus 9). This uncomfortable tone is further exaggerated when the caretaker of the nursing home stands over him uncomfortably. Hence, Meursault is introduced as discomfited and lacking in social skills. Furthermore, Meursault often re-evaluates his speech he exclaims: [M]aybe I shouldnt have said that, nearly every time he interacts whether it is with his boss, the warden or the prosecutor. His calculating approach towards socialising reveals the unwritten societal code to which humans must conform or become alienated. While Meursault ponders on his relatively minor mishaps, he fails to recognize his major indiscretions such as when he informed his Arabic inmates that he killed an Arab. In addition, he fails to understand many gestures; for instance, during the funeral, to his great surprise, his mothers friends all shook hands as though a night spent in silence together had put us on intimate terms (17). Other personal connections such as referring to him by his first name often shock him. Contrastingly, while he is baffled by expressions of friendship, he misinterprets other actions as genuine; for example, he remarks that the prosecutor questioned him with a hint of friendliness (84) when, in reality, he is against him. Once again, Meursaults bewilderment represents societys lack of genuine emotion and social games which he cannot understand and refuses to play. Meursaults passivity in engaging in friendships and opting for companions further highlights the absurdity of the concept of friendship. The reader is first confronted with Meursaults lack of interest of pursuing conversations on the bus ride to his mothers funeral when he meets a soldier who asks him if he had come far Meursault chooses to ignore him. Likewise he does not have lunch at Celestes because theyd ask [him] questions and [he] doesnt like that (25). Meursault often takes the path of least resistance and since developing friendships requires effort from both parties, theoretically, he could never make true friends. This is evidenced by his description of Raymond, his neighbour whom he later confirms as his

Toufeili 002771-029 friend: [H]e comes round for a minute on two because I listen to him. I find what he says interesting (32) this depicts a companion, someone who is there for leisure. Moreover, Meursault claims that he endures his company because he has no reason not to talk to him (32). This dispassion towards their relationship is further confirmed when Raymond walks in and Meursault doesnt get up (40). Meursault further illustrates his amorality and nonchalance, when he accepts any truth of which Raymond proposes about his allegedly cheating girlfriend. He agrees that his plans of beating her would punish her all right (35) and even agrees to help him by acting as a witness for him and writing a hurtful letter. The reader later realizes that Meursault often gives the impression that he is agreeing [with people] when he wants to get rid of someone [he] is not listening to (68) which may explain his earlier interactions with Raymond. Meursault seems to want to please Raymond yet refuses to comment when asked if he wants to be his mate. It is clear that in the beginning of the novel, Meursault chooses to remain detached and is disinterested in connecting with people on an emotional level. Camus portrays Meursaults blunt pursuit of pragmatic relationships to satirize societys utilization of friends without any deep feelings of connection. It is evident from the opening of the novel that Meursault engages in relationships simply when there is something to be gained. For example, while at first he converses with the caretaker during the funeral, once he realizes that he cannot dim the lights, he didnt pay much attention to him after that (14); his inability to make use of his efforts has rendered his pursuit futile. Similarly, in prison he does not make friends with the inmates but with chief warder of whom he can obtain necessities. Even his relationship with Raymond is based on convenience as he joins him since this would save [him] from having to cook (32). Conversely, while Meursault is honest about his motives for befriending others, Raymond attempts to mask his true intentions. His diligence of making

Toufeili 002771-029 Meursault his mate is so that he can act witness for him and write a letter to his mistress. This is evidenced by his flattering of Meursault, referring to him as a man of the world (35), appeal to male camaraderie stating that: [M]en understood each other (41), and persistence that he writes the letter right away (35). Meursault fails to recognize the deceit, remarking that he found [Raymond] very friendly and thought it was a good moment (40). Camus effectively highlights the hypocrisy of society by portraying Meursault as both the victim and perpetrator. As Meursaults continues his journey of self-awareness, he reaches an epiphany on the nature of friendship and finds acceptance. Despite Meursault lack of social etiquette, he is very sensitive to others views and attempts to rationalize their thinking process. For example, he understands his boss point of view about his prolonged absence due to his mothers funeral, and he comprehends why Raymond would want to punish his mistress. It becomes apparent that Meursault aims to please and be accepted. When he frustrates his lawyer, he remarks: Id have liked to have kept him back and explain to him that I wanted to be friends with him, not so that hed defend me better, but, so to speak, in a natural way. The main thing was, I could tell that I made him uncomfortable. He didnt understand me and he rather held it against me. I wanted to assure him that I was just like everyone else, exactly like everyone else. (66) Meursault expresses genuine initiative to becoming friends and need for approval; he explicitly mentions that his motives are not practical but natural. This expression of amity is further reflected during the trial when the witnesses are called to speak of Meursault. After Celestes speech of Meursaults goodness, Meursault states that it was the first time in my life that Id ever wanted to kiss a man (90); this hyperbole of emotions juxtaposes the beginning of the novel where he shied away from any personal relations. Whereas before he remained silent when

Toufeili 002771-029 Raymond stated their friendship, when asked by the prosecutor if he is Raymonds friend, Meursault met Raymonds eyes and he didnt look away and answered, Yes. (92). His evolution is clearly evident by his sudden shift in perspective. While previously he favoured being alone and watching people from his balcony, the last lines of the novel suggest otherwise: [F]or everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate (116). Meursault recognition of his loneliness suggests that he has gained new insight into human nature. In the end, Meursault epitomizes societys hypocritical rules of friendship when he remarks: What did it matter that Raymond was just as much my mate as Celeste who was worth more than him? (116). As an existentialist, Camus highlights the absurdity of life and consequently the meaningless pursuit of relationships. While Meursault may seem like an outsider, his experiences in society are universal his honesty allows the reader to directly confront issues of alienation and duplicity that plague relationships. Word Count: 1484

Toufeili 002771-029 Work Cited Camus, Albert. The Outsider. Trans. Josef Laredo. London: Penguin Books Ltd, 2000. Print. *All other references to this text will be referred to by page number only within the body of the essay.