Monday, March 19, 2012

Camus

"As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much like myself—so like a brother, really—I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate."

I'm sure this passage can be interpreted in many different ways within many different people. However, I see this text as Meursault's ending. His absoulute, unavoidable rage at the world surronding him has suffocated him to a point of surrender. And on this night, he finally choices to take all he's felt, all he's thought, all he's known- and let go. Meursault's casual choice of short, percise sentences has lead me to believe that he feels so much that he must diminish it to that point or else it will consume him. Paradoxically, he's dismissive due to his intense involvement into his feelings. If he wasn't so disinvolved, he's be eaten up and so he chooses to be so casual in life. But now, after all hope is lost, he is finally able to let go. Readers must realize that Meursault is not truly a dissociative, detached person- although he may convey this message. It is only until this night that Meursault actaully lets go and becomes detached from reality. And here, in this moment, he becomes happy. Once at peace, Meursault is OK with his inevitable fate of death and so, removed from everyone and at peace Meursault desires for all these ignorant people to "greet" him with hate. And personally, I'd like to image Meursault smiling as everyone screams at him and as he takes his final breath.

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