The Stranger
by Albert Camus
Reading Guide/Discussion Questions for Summer Reading
1. Think of Part I of the novel as “Experience,” whereas Part II will be “Reflection.”
A. In Part I, what role do the basic senses play in Meursault’s life (e.g., touch, sight, smell)?
B. In Part I, what role do feelings play, both Meursault’s and other characters’ that he
interacts with?
2. What kinds of experiences irritate Meursault?
3. What do readers learn about Meursault’s relationship with his mother?
4. What do Meursault’s interactions with these characters reveal about him”
A. Salamano and his dog
B. Raymond Sintès
C. Marie Cardona
5. At the end of Part I, what exactly causes Meursault’s the action that he describes as “knocking
four quick times on the door of unhappiness?
6. In Part II, what do Meursault's interactions with these characters reveal about him?
A. the Magistrate
B. his lawyer
C. Marie Cardona
D. the prison Chaplain
7. While Meursault never seems to be deeply reflective about himself, who provides an external
reflection of Meursault's behaviors during the trial?
8. What sense do you make of the title, The Stranger
(or, more accurately, The Outsider
)?
9. Meursault believes that reflection gets in the way of his experiencing life. What do you
believe is the role of reflection?
10. What do you believe are the benefits and/or consequences of being indifferent to the world
and/or indifferent to divine justice? What is the difference between the two?
