When I view Monsieur Meursault through the feminist lens as it is described in Tyson's book on literary criticism, I see Meursault as irreparably damaged because he is unable to feel or express any emotion except anger. Anger, paradoxically, releases and focuses him, but it also takes away his physical freedom. In scorning the world at the end of the novel, Meursault finally feels that he has a separate identity. Unfortunately, his inability to connect emotionally with the rest of the world results in his complete alienation from it. Meursault's alienation is a direct result of his inability to dwell in a world where, most often, there are not absolutes. This view is a stereotypically "masculine" view where everything must be black or white. Of course, Meursault admits that the universe is purposeless and has no order--the book The Stranger is itself an attempt to impose order in a random world. Its organized two part structure neatly marks the point when Meursault changes from a drifter to a man who has made a choice.
I agree what you say about that he showed no emotion in the beginning of the book. Then we he shoot the Arab he still had no emotion, was like I shot him. Then when he went to jail we started to see a different side and at the very end of the book we saw that he was finally showing emotion.
I believe that meursault doesnt want to have any emotional connection with women in this book. That he is afraid to get to close to them. For example with his mom, he doesnt know her real age or that fact that he really doesnt want to be at the funeral. Then he doesnt really care if he marries marie. Also he has only referred to her in sexual ways. He hasnt shown the emotional side, like he hasnt said that he longs to see her smile, hear her laugh, to just be near her. Nothing like that ever comes out of his mouth, which made me think that he didnt want to give women a major role in this book because then it might show something towards women. Another idea is that he only sees women for what they can be used for then never think about anything else like the good qualities in women..im probably rambling but its my thought process right now because its so late =)
Perhaps when his father left he was forced to replace him too early. This society seems to function under the patriarchal way of thought. I personally, see this thought process as putting the man on a pedastal of masculinity where he must earn money, take care of the women, have no emotion, and never fail. If Mersault was forced into this role too soon he may have cracked under the pressure. This could possibly explain his stoic emotional nature and his indifferent nature toward women. Especially if he felt that his mother was the one pressuring him to rise to the occasion. Does this make sense or am I completely crazy?
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When I view Monsieur Meursault through the feminist lens as it is described in Tyson's book on literary criticism, I see Meursault as irreparably damaged because he is unable to feel or express any emotion except anger. Anger, paradoxically, releases and focuses him, but it also takes away his physical freedom. In scorning the world at the end of the novel, Meursault finally feels that he has a separate identity. Unfortunately, his inability to connect emotionally with the rest of the world results in his complete alienation from it.
Meursault's alienation is a direct result of his inability to dwell in a world where, most often, there are not absolutes. This view is a stereotypically "masculine" view where everything must be black or white.
Of course, Meursault admits that the universe is purposeless and has no order--the book The Stranger is itself an attempt to impose order in a random world. Its organized two part structure neatly marks the point when Meursault changes from a drifter to a man who has made a choice.
I agree what you say about that he showed no emotion in the beginning of the book. Then we he shoot the Arab he still had no emotion, was like I shot him. Then when he went to jail we started to see a different side and at the very end of the book we saw that he was finally showing emotion.
I believe that meursault doesnt want to have any emotional connection with women in this book. That he is afraid to get to close to them. For example with his mom, he doesnt know her real age or that fact that he really doesnt want to be at the funeral. Then he doesnt really care if he marries marie. Also he has only referred to her in sexual ways. He hasnt shown the emotional side, like he hasnt said that he longs to see her smile, hear her laugh, to just be near her. Nothing like that ever comes out of his mouth, which made me think that he didnt want to give women a major role in this book because then it might show something towards women. Another idea is that he only sees women for what they can be used for then never think about anything else like the good qualities in women..im probably rambling but its my thought process right now because its so late =)
Always Confused, I think you are on to something about Meursault. Definitely. Women seem to be objects--and powerless at that.
Perhaps when his father left he was forced to replace him too early. This society seems to function under the patriarchal way of thought. I personally, see this thought process as putting the man on a pedastal of masculinity where he must earn money, take care of the women, have no emotion, and never fail. If Mersault was forced into this role too soon he may have cracked under the pressure. This could possibly explain his stoic emotional nature and his indifferent nature toward women. Especially if he felt that his mother was the one pressuring him to rise to the occasion. Does this make sense or am I completely crazy?
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