B orn on November 7, 1913, in Mondovi, Algeria Father was French; therefore, Camus is considered a French citizen and author even though he was born and lived the majority of his life in Algeria Father killed in WW1 and was raised by his mother who was of Spanish origin Camus said, "I lived in destitution but also in a kind of sensual delight." Camus wrote novels, plays, and essays and worked as a journalist too. Camus won the Nobel Prize for Literature in He died on January 4, 1960 Albert Camus The Stranger

Camus: Existentialist? NO! Denies that he is an existentialist Feud with Sartre (Sartre bashed him in writing) Camus regarded existentialism as a complete and systematic world- view, that is, a fully articulated doctrine. In his view, to be a true existentialist one had to commit to the entire doctrine (and not merely to bits and pieces of it), and this was apparently something he was unwilling to do. does not believe the existentialist motto that being precedes essence he believes in a common human nature: including an essential core element of dignity and value he is more of a humanist (man is inherently good and we share that commonality) and more like the father of existentialism (Christian perspective vs. paganism or atheism)

So, why read Camus as an existentialist? Absurdity of organized government, following norms of society (shown through Mersault) Themes in self-reliance and personal responsibility (Mersault takes responsibility for his actions and is misunderstood by a society which condemns individual choice--choices that break free from social norms.) An abandonment of society's values (Mersault displays indifference to death, decorum, emotions, the law...)

Where is Algeria? Prior to France's occupation, Algeria was part of the Ottoman Empire. It was composed of two distinct groups of people: Arabs and Berbers. Both spoke different languages and practiced different religions. The Berbers were located in the mountain regions more and practiced their own tribal beliefs. In 1830 the diplomat of France and the dey of Algeria had a dispute concerning the debt owed to France. Due to the dey's refusal to pay, France blockaded and eventually seized the Algerian government. Algeria, therefore, without major resistance became a colony of France.

In the beginning, Algeria's government and way of life was minimally disrupted. Yet, around 1870 all of that changed. French citizens began flocking to Algeria French culture and citizens became the dominant voice even when a minority. It is estimated that at the time of the war for independence there were 1 million French and 9 million Algerians. The descendents of the French were known as pied-noirs and were viewed as French citizens whereas the Algerians natives were not French citizens thus impacting politics. French government stance alternated between benign neglect of the native population and harsh repression The Algerian War of Independence was fought and Algeria gained independence in Today Algeria is the 2nd largest country in Africa Divided into 48 provinces which are headed by prefects chosen by the president

Individual versus Society A primary theme of early twentieth-century European literature and critical thought is the rise of modern mass civilization and its suffocating effects of alienation and dehumanization: fascism totalitarianism new technologies of coercion and death The Absurd multiplied by a social and economic world in which meaningless routines and mind-numbing repetitions predominate. mirrors the myth of Sisyphus: rolling the rock uphill Merseault in The Stranger depressing manifestation of the newly emerging mass personality (a figure devoid of basic human feelings and passions) lone hold-out, a last remaining specimen of the old Romanticism figure who is viewed as both dangerous and alien by the robotic majority

The Absurd The world in which we live is absurd; therefore, the individual has three choices regarding how they deal with that absuridty: Choice 1: Physical suicide Life without some essential purpose or meaning is not worth living Camus rejects this choice as cowardly. Choice 2: Faith and acceptance of religion According to Camus, “philosophical suicide” Supernatural solution ends reason As destructive as physical suicide Allows reader to remove the absurd world with an agreeable one (made possible through religion) Choice 3: Accpetance of the Absurd only authentic and valid solution (according to Camus) Since the absurd in his view is an unavoidable Camus stated, life can “be lived all the better if it has no meaning.”

Christianity vs. “Paganism” Th e theme of guilt and innocence relates closely to the opposition of Christian and pagan ideas and influences. Christian themes – judgment, forgiveness, despair, sacrifice, passion Mersault is presented not just as a sinner, devil, and outcast, but in several instances explicitly, and not entirely ironically, as a Christ figure. Greek heroic values (myth of Sysiphys--drudgery and routine of pushing the stone up the hill, it falls back down the hill) and pessimism and for classical virtues like courage and honor. Romantic values:passion, absorption in being, sensory experience, the glory of the moment, the beauty of the world. Christian and Pagan ideals seem to clash here. On one hand, Camus comments on the severity and inhumanity of executing someone for murder (Christian). On the other hand, Camus presents the drudgery of life (myth, not religion) as something that we all experience--this is what life is all about. Simultaneously, Mersault participates in the drudgery while philosophically (and later, physically and verbally) rejecting society's rules. Que stions: C an an absurd world have intrinsic value? Is authentic pessimism compatible with the view that there is an essential dignity to human life?

Guilt and Innocence Mersault: Legally innocent or technically guilty? No conscious intention behind his action. killing takes place almost as if by accident Mersault in a kind of absent-minded daze Mersault is distracted by the sun. Mersault seems to be a seriously defective human being – a kind of hollow man at best Mersault is a monster of self-centeredness.

The Death Penalty Camus strongly opposes the death penalty. Humanitarian belief Barabrism covered up as the law Viewed as act of vengeance Target the poor and oppressed Given religious sanction Executions by guillotine were a common public spectacle in Algeria His opposition to the death penalty is evidenced in The Stranger. Meursault’s long confinement and execution are presented as part of an elaborate, ceremonial ritual involving both public and religious authorities. T Meursault's methodical, lengthy legal trial is a direct juxtaposition to the sudden, irrational, and what some may argue accidentally crime. Meursault is condemned to death. Yet, his death highlights the fate we all share in an absurd world: death.

The Outsider A recurrent theme in is the character or perspective of the “stranger” or outsider. Mersault: Observes the behavior and actions of others around him Ambigious Detached from emotion Separated from others due to his behaviors Exiled for his actions Revolt "It is a spirit of opposition against any perceived unfairness, oppression, or indignity in the human condition. The rebel, he writes, holds that there is a “common good more important than his own destiny” and that there are “rights more important than himself.” He acts “in the name of certain values which are still indeterminate but which he feels are common to himself and to all men.” (The Rebel, )

ica/algeri a Steven Muhlberger The French Conquest and Colonization of Algeria