Journal 5 Stranger

From my Group Project:
Part 1. Time
Within part 1, Meursault's perception of time proves important for precision. By stating that his boss "wasn't too happy" about Meursault missing a couple days of work for a funeral, considers a strict consistency in work arrivals. This attitude carries on as far as planning the amount of time dedicated towards Meursault's sleeping, as well: "I knew I was going to go to bed and sleep for twelve hours."(18) This implication towards a habitual lifestyle proves correct as Camus uses phrases such as, "as usual", and "nothing has changed". The habitual lifestyle carries on within the minor characters as well: "Twice a day, at eleven and six, the old man takes the dog out for a walk" (27). Meursault's behavior, although, implies a subtle rebellion towards this society-driven routines and guidelines. "But I hesitated, because I didn't know if I could do it with Maman right there. I thought about it; it didn't matter. I offered the caretaker a cigarette and we smoked"(8). These subtle rebellions also were highlighted by Meursault's slight isolation in society. This creates an individualism that brings out happiness within him. These subtle rebellions carry onto the development of the action that leads him into jail.

Part 2 Time
In part 2 of the book, instead of time being routine, it became something vulnerable for imagination. "I realized then that a man who had lived only one day could easily live for a hundred years in prison. He would have enough memories to keep him from being bored. In a way, it was an advantage"(79). This imagination contrasted against societies pre-planned lives for its' citizens, and with this sense of individualism, Meursault found his voice: "And for the first time in months, I distinctly heard the sound of my own voice"(81).

Part 1 Cigarrette
Meursault's craving for cigarrettes seems to appear frequently throughout the story. It seems to be, anytime he is put in a situation that would provoke anxiety, or sadness, he smokes.
Part 2 Cigarrette

In part 2, Meusaults need for a cigarrette seems to lessen as the chapters increase. "And one of them offered me a cigarette, which I turned down."(82) This change in behavior questions his state of being in the situation he is in. Most people would feel alot of anxiety being put in jail, but Meursaults response seems to counter that behavior.

Part 1: Raymond:
In part 1, Raymond came across as a distrustful man who uses women. The fact that he asks Meursault to write a letter to Raymond's mistress for him, provokes a sense of lying. And the fact that the letter's purpose was to lure the mistress back to Raymond so that he can degrade her allows the reader to believe he also uses women, and is easily angererd. "It's not that I'm a bad guy, but I have a short fuse."(29)

Part 2 Raymond:
In part 2, Raymonds character seems to change from an distrustful man, into a man who wants to see justice in Meursault's case. Raymond knows that the murder was not premeditated, and does not want to see Meursault convicted of this crime. He believes it was by "chance" the crime occured, and that Meursault is "innocent".