The Stranger Literary Analysis

Words: 1917
Pages: 8

In The Metamorphosis and The Stranger, one of the most prominent components of existentialism seen in the books is: “Ultimately, I am alone in this world, alienated from everything that attempts to define me.” Camus employs this to portray Meursault’s impartiality to the events in his life, the manner in which society labels him and instructs him to act, as well as to explain the embrace of his fate near the end of the novel. This component is also used by Kafka to portray the sense of estrangement that Gregor feels, along with the artificiality of life that Gregor had been living. Although both characters feel alienated, the way they’re alienated and their reaction to it is much different. This component is most clearly seen near the end of The Stranger, during Meursault’s trial:
“‘This man, gentlemen, this man is intelligent.’ ...
I was listening, and I could hear that I was being judged intelligent. But I couldn’t quite understand how an ordinary man’s good qualities could become crushing accusations against a guilty man. ... [The prosecutor] went on attacking me without my ever really understanding why. Of course, I couldn’t help admitting that he was right. I didn’t feel much remorse for what I’d done… I would have liked to have tried explaining to him cordially,
…show more content…
In The Metamorphosis, Gregor realizes that the fulfillment he seeks in life, to please his family, can only be achieved through his death. From early on in the book, it’s clear to the reader that Gregor lives his life solely for his family. Even after his metamorphosis, he still worries and thinks about