Literary analysis - English Literature A Higher Level IB - The Stranger
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The Stranger
This is an essay written for the English Literature A Higher Level in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
The essay was written in the 1st year of IBDP in 2017 (I graduated in 2018).
The document starts with a reflective statement as was required during the course of my ...
CAGED IN SOCIAL
CONFINEMENT
Written by: Ama Gerikhanova
How are confined spaces used as symbols to convey the theme of alienation in
Albert Camus’ The Stranger?
Word count: 1493
Pages: 7
0
, Reflective statement:
The interactive oral was both enjoyable and insightful as it deepened my understanding of
how Albert Camus operates with the tenets of absurdity within his novel, The Stranger.
Nevertheless, it also extended my understanding of the cultural and contextual elements of the
work.
The Stranger, written in 1942, explores Camus’ philosophy of the absurd and the theory of
existentialism. The interactive oral made me aware of the significance of this philosophy and
why Camus chose to integrate such ideas in the novel’s plot. The book was written in the
post-war era – a time of despair and destruction. After the Second World War people started
losing faith in humanity and a bigger purpose in life.
During the wartime, Camus developed his philosophy of the absurd. A major component of
this philosophy was Camus’ assertion that life has no rational or redeeming meaning. Faced
with the horrors of Hitler’s Nazi regime and the unprecedented slaughter of the war, many
could no longer accept that human existence had any purpose or discernible meaning.
Existence seemed simply absurd.
In class we agreed that The Stranger is a manifestation of philosophical ideas. Understanding
the philosophies which were gaining foothold in Meursault’s time is important. Earlier, I had
overlooked the existential and absurd aspect of the novel. However, after the interactive oral,
these themes and ideas became crucial contributions to my understanding, interpretation as
well as appreciation of the novel.
Camus’ first-person point of view as an important literary device made it easier to identify
and understand the existentialistic element of the novel. This is because prior to the discussion
it was difficult to fully understand how the protagonist in the novel could be tied back to the
cultural and historical background of the author. However, after the discussion, it was brought
to light that the indifferent nature of the protagonist is directly tied to the despair of the post-
war times.
Lastly, it was argued about whether or not Camus themes and philosophies are still applicable
in our own society. I would argue that the dilemma surrounding the meaninglessness of life is
always going to be a relevant topic as people are always going to try to find the deeper
meaning in life.
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