The Role of Fate and Free Will in The Stranger by Albert Camus (1942)

Expanding the Roles:
The Stranger by Albert Camus is a seminal work of existential literature that examines the life of Meursault, an emotionally detached man who commits a murder without apparent reason. The novel explores themes of fate, free will, and the absurdity of existence, questioning the meaning of life and death. For literature students, The Stranger provides a profound meditation on existential philosophy, the randomness of life, and the individual’s role in creating meaning in an indifferent universe.

• Fate and the Absurd:
  The novel’s depiction of Meursault’s life as governed by random events challenges traditional ideas of fate and free will. Literature students can explore how Camus portrays the idea of life as absurd, with no inherent meaning or purpose, and how Meursault's actions reflect the existential belief in the lack of predetermined destiny.

• Free Will and Individual Responsibility:
  Meursault’s indifferent attitude toward life and his eventual crime raise important questions about personal responsibility. Students can analyze how Camus uses Meursault’s lack of emotional involvement to examine the relationship between free will and moral action, especially when social norms and expectations seem meaningless.

What We Learn:
The Stranger is an essential text for literature students interested in existentialism, fate, and free will. It provides insights into how individuals create their own meaning in life and how the absence of meaning leads to personal alienation and philosophical reflection.