Journal #3 - The Stranger

Camus splits The Stranger into two parts in order to make evident the process in which Meursalt develops. In the first part of the novel, Camus uses short sentences that are very to the point. With Meursalt as the narrator, the activities and events that take place in Meursalt's life are given to the reader in a very matter of fact way, without much speculation or hidden meaning.

"After them, the street slowly emptied out. The matinees had all started, I guess. The only ones left were the shopkeepers and the cats. The sky was clear but dull above the fig trees lining the street." (22)

This is contrasted in the second part with Meursalt suddenly voicing his thoughts to the reader, speculating on his life. The infinite time that he has to himself allows him to examine who he is, and this is reflected by the longer syntax that Camus uses.

"My ears had never heard so many noises or picked up so many sounds. One thing I can say, though, is that in a certain way I was lucky that whole time, since I never heard footsteps." (113)

Also, in the mortuary where Meursalt kept vigil for his Maman, the roof was a skylight, allowing the sun to cast its light onto the room. In the last prison cell that Meursalt stays at, there is also a skylight with sunlight filtering in. In the first part, this light causes for Meursalt to become sleepy and inactive, but in the second part, Meursalt becomes thoughtful under his skylight. This could represent the idea that although Meursalt changes, the sky he is under does not change.