Meaningless Change – Wrong

“It occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over that Maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed.” (Chapter 2) Camus’ existentialist perspective is displayed throughout Meursault continuously in the novel. He is revealed as an incredibly neutral and emotionless being through his actions, thoughts, and voice. Hence, the tone of the novel is set as objective not only because of Meursault’s character, but also because of the interruptive pacing it contains.  These characteristics reflect the existentialist believe of life’s lack of meaning. Camus, like any existentialist, sees this as a reasonable theory, “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” In other words, you should just go with whatever life brings up and be ok with it. All events would therefore be on the same level. The end of Sunday, your mother’s funeral, work; they are all the same and shouldn’t alter your routine in any way.

Dark isn’t it? I believe so. To me, the end of Sunday is meaningful as the rest of the events would be (some more than others obviously). Meursault however continues to hold his position in Chapter 5, “…People never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another…” People don’t change their lives directly; it is more like some occurrence makes them force the change. In the end life goes on, but changes big or small occur either by chance or will. For Salamano, change was not good when loosing his dog. Meursault on the other hand released his position on change when claiming that “His [Salamano] life had changed now and he wasn’t too sure what he was going to do.” (Chapter 5) This brings another point in existentialism. Salamano was anguished when loosing his dog under his own actions and responsibility. This, along with the loneliness he new would overcome him, lead him to feel helpless and vulnerable. It is at this point when reaching anguish and helplessness that humans begin their quest for a superior being who can offer them protection. In Salamano’s case, he looks for his dog and hopes to change again upon his finding. “I hope the dogs don’t bark tonight. I always think it’s mine.” (Chapter 5) This will in an existentialist perspective bring him nothing but trouble due to his hope and search for meaning (dog).