Introduction to The Stranger A novel By Albert camus

History of Algeria Evidence of human presence since 4000 B.C. Settlers include African civilizations, Romans, Arabs, Turks, Europeans The Turks win control of the area and allow pirates to monitor as representatives of Ottoman Empire French become involved because of political disagreement with the Ottomans French army lands in 1830 and begins colonizing the area French colonizers face rebellions and a large Muslim population Both groups want equal rights

Conflicts in Algeria Left: Place de la republique, Algiers, 1899 French settlers have ruling rights, excluding natives, Muslims, and others from power French force Muslims to pay higher taxes French hold the majority of farmable land French government decides to grant French citizenship to Algerian Jews but not Muslims Furthers separation between different groups Conflicts last until the mid 1900s

Algeria in the early 1900s

Life in Algeria for Albert Camus Born November 7, 1913 in Mondovi, Algeria Father dies in WWI before Camus is a year old and mother is physically disabled Grows up in poverty Receives a scholarship to attend school Contracts tuberculosis which stays with him for the duration of his life Receives a degree in philosophy in 1936 from University of Algiers Begins writing stories and essays reflecting his life in Algeria with the common themes: Poverty, racism, corruption, mistreatment of women Vulnerability of human life Never-ending status of world Works as a playwright and actor, eventually becomes journalist for Alger-Republicain in 1938 Moves to France at start of WWII and joins resistance movement Awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 Dies in automobile accident in 1960

Philosophy in The Stranger Existentialism Absurdism Relates to philosophical ethics Popular in 19th and 20th centuries “Center[s] [on] the uniqueness and isolation of individual experience in a universe indifferent or even hostile to man, regarding human existence as unexplainable, and emphasizing man's freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of his acts.” (https://www.prestwickhouse.com/samples/304523.pdf) “A philosophy based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absurdism) Camus says this provides true freedom because humans do not have to search for confirmation from a greater being or entity or have a purpose (http://www.philosophy-index.com/existentialism/absurd.php)

Discussion questions Existence is absurd and true meaning in life is impossible. Day to day existence is filled with anxiety and fear. The idea that I am born into a particular time, place, family, and economic environment is absurd. When I am born, I am undefined without any prior essence or preconceived personality or soul. In life, I must make choices regardless of what’s best for others. I can only choose what’s best for me.

Additional Sources Consulted http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ac92 http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/acamus.htm http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/00/pwillen1/lit/indexa.htm https://www.prestwickhouse.com/samples/304523.pdf