Book 1 Chapter 4

CAN LOVE HAPPEN IS ONLY QUESTION IN WOMAN'S MIND

"A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn't mean anything but that it didn't matter. She looked sad." (pg.35)

I chose this quote to be the main theme of action in this chapter. Although it is not the theme which contains the most physical action in it, it does contain the most lack of emotional action. Here we learn that Marie is very attached to Mersault, however this "vague" emotion of love - according to Mersault, is not something he wishes to think of. From what we know of his character in the beginning of the novel his response to her was not, in my opinion, the least bit surprising. To me it seems Mersault is not truly elated with his life. Can you be unable to love and ever be happy? We know Mersault loves Marie in an affectionate, physical way, but emotionally he is incapable. I wondered if he was a narcissist at many points in the novel because of his inability to show many appropiate emotions. Is Camus just bringing out the narcissist in all of us and inflating it? Is there truth in this world of absurdity in Mersault's head? After Raymond beats his Arab girlfriend, Mersault would not contact the police because he does not like policemen. But surprisingly he decides to testify as a witness. Although the fact Mersault acts as a witness seems unusual, do we judge Mersault based on our expectations? Are our expectations present in everything we do? Camus has plotted this question out ever so carefully in The Stranger. And it is up to us to change our way of thinking...if we ever can.