Camus & Meursault
Seeking the sense of human existence is the problem that occurs for thousand years. The great number of scientists and philosophers have been trying to explain the man’s life, its origin, and purpose. In spite of the presented points of view, there is nogeneral agreement on this problem. However, there exists a unique thought presented to the publicity’s consideration in the works of French Nobel Prize-winning philosopher, journalist, and author, Albert Camus. He was the supporter of the philosophical movement known as absurdism that found its interpretation in author’s writings.
First off, a work of fiction that contains motives of absurdity is The Stranger. It depicts the humankind’s unveiling attempts to seek the meaning in lives. The novel is divided into two parts. The first one represents Meursault’s senseless existence at large. He leads his habitual way of life. The novel starts with a message of his mother’s death, but this situation does not arise any feeling of grief. The main character remains calm and indifferent. Another situation that astonishes many readers is the Arab’s killing. After the first gunshot, the corpsis fired four more times. However, neither the reason of the crime, – despite the inane explanation that the sun gets into the eyes, – is divulged nor emotions experienced during the murder are revealed.
Meanwhile, from the second part, the reader is on the way to know the protagonist’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions about the crime. Nevertheless, Meursault remains quiet and passive. Mentally, he refuses his dreams and desires. He shows indifference to the trial and insists on him being the atheist, explaining his conversion to God as a waste of time. The novel ends with Meursault’s words to the humanity that no one is allowed to blame and punish him.
About half of the century later, an Algerian journalist, KamelDaoud writes his first novel The Meursault Investigation. It is connected with Camus’ novel The Stranger as a response to the narration, and it tells the story from the point of view of the murdered Arab’s brotherHarun.He tells his oppinion on the problem. The hero himself does not remember all the events, as he was a little child. His father who left him nothing but the family name was the one who told this tragic story. Mother’s grief does not subside in years. As a result, Harun mentions that the brother’s death has become the omen of the life.
Moreover, the author gives the name to the killed person known from Camus’ novel as the Arab. The author does it because of his personal consideration. He believes that the Western worldesteems only themselves:their peoples, cultures, languages. They find Arabs and Africans insects that do not deserve any respectful treatment.
Harun is a reflection of the reaction on colonialism meanwhile Meursault represents the power that seizes the countries. As it is widely known, the empires establish their ruling system in the subjugated states. Many issues from the legitimate system that are forbidden in the enslaving country may be applied to the peoples from colonialized territories.In deed, the ruling governments do not even consider them human beings, but supporters, slavers, whose obligation is to indulge empires.
The latter part of the novel depicts a particular version of the absurd condition occurred in Algeria. It arises as a reaction to post-colonial errors.Harrun revenges brother’s death on a Frenchman. In this case, the victim possesses a name, not a nickname. The crime occurs under the moon at two o’clock in the morning contrary to Camus’s novel where the events take place in the afternoon. Such actions appear as a response to the western community.
However, two novels are a kind of word confrontation or a blowback. Unfortunately, the situation occurs not only in the fiction but also in the modern world. For instance, the bloody events that took place in Paris on the thirteenth of November, 2015. Terroristic acts staggered the entire world and instilled the terror amongst humanity. That horrifying night took the lives of about 129 people. What is that exactly: unsound crime to the francophone community or revenge for the harm and tears shed decades and centuries ago in the colonialized countries?
I believe that terroristic attacks have no justification or excuse. Whomever it does, they should be sentenced because the human’s life is priceless. Althoughon the other hand, modern society considers all people equal. It fights against any racial, social and gender discrimination. Then why the terror that lasted for several hours in Paris become threat and crime towards Europe, but military action that took place in the East and Africa remain without paying proper attention and consideration. People are equal, and bloodshed is not admissible in any part of the world.
As a result, the western community may be the personification of Meursault, which is not sentenced yet. Meanwhile, the eastern countries are Harron, who finds it sacrificial to revenge on the brother’s death. Personally, it is almost impossible to stop hostility but people should attempt doing it. The first step on this path should be respect in spite of gender, nationality, religion, etc.
Concluding, the literature is a reflection on the human’s life. Camus’ and Daoud’s novels are not exceptions. They are like foreseeing of the current situation in the world. The Stranger represents its readers the absurdity of the human existence and impunity. Meanwhile, The Meursault Investigation depicts that what goes around comes around. People have to be charged with dealings. Being the part of the society where the person’s life is of great value, it may be worth nothing in the same time.The events in Paris happened about a month ago are the best proof for this statement. Undoubtedly, the piece of writings are connected to them. Blowback is anatural and reasonable.
