The Stranger Opening Paragraphs Analysis

The opening paragraphs of The Stranger serve as a synecdoche for the text as a whole. The opening sentence of the novel is, "Maman died today" (3), presented casually and without feeling or care. The initial introduction of the protagonist presents Meursault as an insensitive character lacking emotion. As he continues to explain the circumstances of his mother's death, he is unaware of when his mother actually died: "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know" (3). As the son of someone who recently passed, it would be expected that Meursault knows all the facts surrounding his mother's passing. The way in which he delivers the news of his personal tragedy shows that he does not know the simple facts of his mother's death, and he does not appear to care. Throughout the novel Meursault does not care about most things, including the senseless murder he commits. His lack of emotion in reaction to his mother's death introduces the self interested nature of Meursault. He is not bothered by the loss of his mother because it does not affect him in any way. Meursault only cares about himself throughout the novel, which is why he lacks emotion or care for almost everything.

Throughout the novel Meursault is extremely judgmental of other characters. He consistently comments on the appearances and actions of those around him, but he fails to reflect personally. In the opening paragraphs he describes his interaction with his boss when asking for time off to attend his mother's funeral: "I asked my boss for two days off [...] He wasn't too happy about it. I even said, 'It's not my fault.' He didn't say anything. Then I thought I shouldn't have said that. After all, I didn't have anything to apologize for. He's the one who should have offered his condolences" (3). Meursault  notes the fault of his boss for not offering his condolences, but Meursault fails to see his own faults in his inappropriate reaction to his mother's death. Meursault is quick to comment on another character's social misconduct, but he fails to see his own. Throughout the novel Meursault refuses to acknowledge his own social abnormalities, while continuously commenting on the faults of others.