Stranger Journal 4

#3. How does Camus use parallel scenes or recurring events in the two parts of the novel?

“I probably did love Maman, but that didn’t mean anything”(64).  This quote connects to when Meursault is talking to Marie in chapter 5, but instead he says he probably didn’t love her; "it didn't mean anything but that I probably didn't love her"(41) . It shows how most things don’t really matter to Meursault and he is indifferent to a lot of things people asked him.  It brings out his character and portrays him as an particularly difficult person to have a relationship with.

“It was an idea I couldn’t get used to”(70).  When Meursault was talking to his boss on page 41, he tells his boss he "couldn't see any reason to change his life". This shows that Meursault is uncomfortable with change, and that change of lifestyle is something that he wouldn't be able to handle. Despite this depiction of Meursault earlier in the book, he completely changes his lifestyle by killing someone and going to prison.

“Only the words ‘yesterday' and ‘tomorrow’ still had any meaning to me”(80).  This connects to the first paragraph of the book when he didn’t really know whether his mother had died yesterday or today. Meursault is usually pretty good at keeping a schedule, or planning what he is going to do, but his memory of the past is not usually very good. He can plan for the future, but once he has done whatever he is planning on doing, it is like he doesn't really know what to do with the memories.

“I had actually found an old scrap of newspaper,” (79) This refers to when Meursault is in prison and finds the old newspaper scrap between his mattress and the bed platform. Earlier in the book Meursault finds an old newspaper and cuts an ad out of it for Kruschen salts (21). He is portrayed as being interested in the past, but not very recollective of the past. Perhaps the very fact that he has inadequate memory is the reason he is so interested in it. He cannot remember things himself, so he relies on other people or sources for information.

“For me it was one and the same unending day that was unfolding in my cell and the same thing I was trying to do”(80).  Before Meursault was put in prison, he had the same general schedule every day.  It seemed like all he did was sleep, eat, smoke, and people watch. This also links with the fact that he does not feel comfortable with a change of lifestyle. He does what he knows will not totally change his life, of course except for killing the Arab.

“I remembered what the nurse at Maman’s funeral said.  No, there was no way out,”(81). This, one of few of Meursaults' recollections, refers to page 17 when he was talking to the nurse. "There was no way out" connects to his predicament of being in prison, and never being able to get out. However, the time in prison for him is not even displayed as being harsh, or unpleasant, though. He describes himself as being one of the lucky ones, and the guards treat him well. It is almost like the nurses comment doesn't mean anything to Meursault anyways.