Albert Camus Author

1
Albert CamusAuthors Life and Work

• Born 1913 in Algeria

2
Early Years

• Beset by poverty throughout his life
• Excelled in sports, journalism and drama at the
  University of Algiers
• Graduated in 1936 with a degree in literature and
  philosophy

3
Philosophy and Life

• Devoted his life to literature that exalts truth,
  happiness, freedom, and justice.
• We are made to live for others. But one really
  dies only for oneself.
• Life must be embraced in all its unfairness,
  moral paradox, and irrationality
• life is controlled by the absurd

4
Most influential Works(All written in French
and translated)

• The Myth of Sisyphus - 1941
• The Stranger - 1942
• The Plague - 1948

5
Literary Terms relevant to The Stranger

• Absurdism the collapse of tradition, values, and
  justice. Doubts about the purpose of life, worth
  and direction.
• Antihero nontraditional protagonist or non hero
  who presents none of the skill, intelligence or
  nobility of the standard hero.
• Existentialism philosophy that contrasts the
  random nature of the universe with human
  helplessness and lack of knowledge.

6
The Existential Anti-Hero

• Accepts his insignificance and creates meaning by
  rising to the challenge of events and situations.
• Mersault is noble because he maintains his
  self-respect and faces a hostile environment that
  insists on his guilt based on poor reasoning.

7
Psychological Novel

• Study of a characters mind with emphasis on
  motivation, internal dialogue, and circumstance.
• Readers observe his character, values,
  friendships and frustrations.