1. Where does Monsieur Meursault
live, and how does he feel about living there? How does he respond
when his boss offers him a position in Paris?
2. Why doesn't Meursault visit
his mother often? What does this tell us about his relationship with
her? How is this used against him later (after he kills the Arab)?
3. What day of the week does Meursault
hate more than any other? How does this correlate to his religious
beliefs?
4. How do old Salamano and his
dog resemble each other? What kind of relationship do they have?
5. How does Meursault help Raymond
with his plan? How are the Arabs involved in this situation, and
what do they want?
6. How does Meursault feel about
marrying Marie? Does he love her? How does he respond to serious
questions like these?
7. When Meursault and Raymond finally
encounter his enemies face to face, who gets hurt first?
8. At the end of the trial, what
does Meursault claim to be his reason for killing the Arab?
9. Is Meursault on trial for his
mothers death, or that of the Arab?
10. Why does the magistrate insist
that Meursault believe in God?
11. Who uses the phrase “Monsieur
Antichrist” and to whom does it refer?
12. Who says, “that's exactly why
you're in prison”?
13. How much does Meursault sleep
in prison during the last few months?
14. Who says Meursault is “a monster,
a man without morals”?
15. What is Meursault's punishment?
How does the story end?
Meursault: main character,
narrator, feels no remorse for his mother's death, nor for killing the
Arab
Marie: Meursault's girlfriend;
she wants to marry Meursault, although she accepts that he doesn't love
her.
Raymond: Meursault's friend
and a "Warehouse Guard." He seems to also be a pimp and he abuses and plots
against his mistress, who is an Arab. He instigates a fight with
the Arabs on the beach and gets cut by a knife.
Salamano: Meursault neighbor
who looks like his dog; a widower and someone who testifies on Meursault's
behalf.
Arabs:
seek revenge for Raymond's treatment of his mistress (the mistress is sister
to one of the men); Camus represents them as nameless and, to some extent,
featureless
Priest: Tries to change
Meursault's outlook on life. Tries to elicit a confession from Meursault
Magistrate: Examines Meursault's
case before he goes to trial. He brandishes a crucifix to instill fear
into the unrepentant criminal.
Setting:
Before WWII, Algiers: beach, city,
prison, convalescent home in Marengo