The Stranger By Albert Camus Part 2 Review

The  idea of splitting this book into two parts is very interesting. It creates a divide between the two parts of Meursault's life we get to experience as writers. The first half is the happier (obviously) and the second is more depressing and cold and sterile. Meursault's thoughts seem very compartmentalized and the feelings we do see at towards the end disgust us. He is probably sociopathic. When he doesn't believe in lying, it isn't because he is a truthful honest man, and it isn't because he believes he deserves his fate, it is because he just doesn't know why he did. At the very end of the horrific experience, he state how he wants many people to come and scream at him in hate at his execution, because it is the only way he knows that people could appreciate his existence. Also towards the end of the book, he state how he understood Maman, how she tried to start her life over and it came to end, all he wants now is to live more, live longer, live over again. This is a drastic change from before where it seemed he wanted nothing (with the exception of sex with Marie) and he  didn't have a drive to do anything in his life, he was just letting it take him where ever it wanted to; like a boat drifting on a lake. Overall, I enjoyed trying to delve into his mind and understand in the first part of the book, in the second it became a sick horror you just couldn't stop looking at and reading and considering. Even though it was scary and sketchy, it was still a very well written book and I would recommend it.

Part One of The Stranger

The Stranger by Albert Camus is a very interesting book. For one, Albert Camus is a very interesting author and person in general. He has an intriguing view on life and how it works, for all manner of people. One way this pops up over and over in The Stranger is how Meursault, the main character, is seemingly emotionless after his mother's death, and how that continues through his life.

Although I am only through Part 1 of the book, I am completely fascinated and drawn into this piece of writing. Although it may seem bland and boring to some, I am intrigued by the inner workings of Meursault's mind. I would love to understand his true thought process, and the only way to do that is by gleaning every last detail out of this book. Although Camus has been writing with Meursault narrating via stream of consciousness, he doesn't elaborate much on the transitions between thoughts. I think that Meursault is a fascinating character and want to delve even deeper into this book to try and find out more about how he works. I also wish to find out if he ever discovers and accepts emotions, because I can understand how easy it is to simply ignore their existence in your own being. Overall, I would deem this book fascinating and well worth the read so far. It leaves you pensive and curious and over all very contemplative about the complexities of life and the human condition.

Reflection on Fences By August Wilson

Men

Throughout the plays we have read in class, there have been significant male roles. The first being Willy Loman, the second being Torvald Helmer, and the last being Troy Maxson. Torvald is often the odd one out when comparing and contrasting these characters, as he is not equally incorporated into family life. While Troy and Willy both have huge impacts on their children and their lives. However, the biggest comparison that can be drawn between all three is their relationships with their wives. They all mistreated and betrayed their wives. Both Willy and Troy cheated on their wives, all three tried to control them. For example, Willy  wouldn’t let Linda do whatever she wanted, and Torvald completely controlled most everything in Nora’s life. Troy would try to control

Women

Linda, Nora, and Rose are the wives of the men in the plays we have read. All of them are very strong women, who are still suppressed in one way or another. They all become free of it in the end. Linda’s husband died, freeing her from his lying and depressed grasp; Rose’s husband Troy also died, but he still left her with a child not her own. Nora left her husband of her own accord, but in turn put herself in a terrible socioeconomic position. All of their husbands had been suppressing them, whether it be monetary control, lying, or cheating. 

The definition of independence is not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence. Nora was the most independent of them all, going off from her husband to lead her own life on her own money. However, in the more vernacular definition “free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.” Rose is the most independent of the wives. While she depends on Troy for income, she controls the output of the money in the family, and on what and when it is spent. She also refuses to take Troy’s crap. She tells him she will care for his bastard child, but will not be his woman. She is however his wife, but only in the eyes of the state and government, and the way he should treat her.