The Stranger #1

In the first book of The Stranger, Albert Camus introduces the seemingly unenthusiastic character of Meursault. The Stranger opens with Meursault reflecting on the recent death of his mother. Rather than being openly upset by his mother's death, he is more concerned about the time he had to take off from work to attend the funeral: "I asked my boss for two days off and there was no way he was going to refuse me with an excuse like that" (3). The use of "excuse" rather than "tragedy" (or something similar) makes it seem like Meursault does not care that his mother died. It seems that he views his personal loss simply as an excuse to get out of work. Throughout the first chapter Meursault lacks sensitivity on many occasions. At his mother's vigil, he grows annoyed with his mother's friend: "Soon one of the women started crying. [...] I thought she'd never stop. [...] I wish I didn't have to listen to her anymore. [...] She finally shut up" (11). Meursault is annoyed with the woman because he cannot understand her hysterics. He is not upset himself, so he is not willing to accept someone else's devestation. In his mind, his mother's death did not change anything. Meursault did not go to visit his mother often, and her permanent absence will not affect his life greatly.