Erick’s Reviews > Lo straniero > Status Update

What shocks me is that he’s judged not only for the murder, but also for his behaviour at his mother’s funeral: not crying, smoking, drinking coffee, going to the cinema soon after, and lacking faith in God.

The trial feels influenced by things that shouldn’t matter so much. Society seems more focused on punishing his attitude than the crime itself.

I agree that Meursault deserves the death penalty for taking a man’s life. What shocks me is that he’s judged not only for the murder, but also for his behaviour at his mother’s funeral: not crying, smoking, going to the cinema soon after, and lacking faith in God.

The trial feels influenced by things that shouldn’t matter so much. Society seems more focused on punishing his attitude than the crime itself.

Meursault keeps the habit of saying out loud things most people would rather keep to themselves. I’ve been saying since the beginning of the book that he’s not exactly a saint. And what about that judge with the crucifix, huh?

In this chapter, the focus isn’t really the murder itself, but Meursault’s morality and how incompatible he is with society.

Meursault doesn’t see much point in chasing some idealised future. To him, the life he’s living right now is worth just as much as any other. While most people build their lives around future goals, Meursault seems to live almost entirely in the present.

Meursault loves acting like he’s indifferent to everything, but when it comes to doing questionable things, he doesn’t seem to hesitate. What a CYNIC. Maybe he’s not as indifferent as he likes to pretend, considering how often he ends up taking the wrong side of things.
Anyway, I hope Salamano finds his dog…

Meursault keeps up his usual neutral attitude in different situations. This time it’s about Raymond wanting to get revenge and humiliate a woman he’s interested in. Meursault doesn’t judge anyone or try to act like a protector, but the moment he agrees to help Raymond write a letter to lure her back just so he can punish her emotionally, he already starts stepping into some dangerous territory.

The very next day after his mum’s funeral, Meursault goes to the beach, runs into Marie, goes to the cinema with her, and the two end up getting romantic. Totally unexpected.

In this first chapter, Meursault showed very little emotion regarding what had happened to his mother. Instead, he seemed far more concerned with everything else around him: the heat, the sunlight, the noise, the sweat, and even with the possibility that his boss might disapprove of the days he had taken off work.