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1. Page 116: "Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him. I acknowledged that

that was their right. It also meant that they must have had the time for it. As for me, I didn't want
anybody's help, and I just didn't have the time to interest myself in what didn't interest ime."
Page 120: “But I was sure about me, about everything, surer than he could ever be, sure of my
life and sure of the death I had waiting for me. Yes, that was all I had. But at least I had as much
of a hold on it as it had on me.
Meursault suggests that he is fully in control of his life, and-because of that fact-is a better,
more confident man than the chaplain. What would Kierkegaard say to Meursault? Is he in
control? Does the theme of passivity play a role here? Why or why not? What does "being in
control" and "being content" look, sound, and feel like?
2. Discuss the ending of the novella. Was it satisfactory? Predictable? What do you make of the last
two pages? What new insight does it provide? And, in the end, what is it that Meursault desires
most? Why?
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3.. Think back to this novella's commentary on "facing the abyss" in the absurd sense (facing an
indifferent universe). In what ways has Meursault been confronted with this abyss? How has he
responded? In what ways has Meursault himself acted as an "abyss" to others? How have they
responded?
4. After answering #s 1-4, please offer a completely different perspective from what you have
mentioned thus far on any idea. In other words, choose ONE of the answered questions above
and provide an anticipated counterargument to your argument. What might someone say during
the Seminar that could refute your argument? Please indicate which question you are refuting.

1. Page 116: "Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him. I acknowledged-example-1
User Jozef Chocholacek
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3.0k points

1 Answer

22 votes
22 votes

Kierkegaard would likely argue that Meursault is not in control of his life, but rather that he is deluded into thinking that he is. Kierkegaard would likely view Meursault's belief in his own control and confidence as a form of passivity, as it is a refusal to engage with the existential questions and concerns that are inherent in human existence. Being in control and being content would look, sound, and feel like a deep sense of peace and fulfillment, rather than the superficial confidence that Meursault displays.

The ending of the novella could be seen as both satisfactory and predictable. It is satisfying because it provides a sense of closure and resolution to Meursault's story, but it is predictable because the events leading up to it have been building towards this conclusion. The last two pages provide new insight into Meursault's character and his relationships with others, showing that he has come to understand the futility of his previous beliefs and attitudes. Meursault desires most to be free from the constraints and expectations of society, and to be able to live his life on his own terms.

Meursault has been confronted with the abyss of the indifferent universe in many ways throughout the novella. For example, he is confronted with the meaningless of human existence when he attends his mother's funeral and realizes that her death is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. He also confronts the abyss when he is on trial and realizes that the justice system is arbitrary and unfair. In response to these confrontations, Meursault initially acts with defiance and defiance, but ultimately comes to accept the absurdity of the universe. Meursault himself acts as an abyss to others in his lack of empathy and emotional engagement with the world around him. Others respond to him with confusion, anger, and fear.

One anticipated counterargument to my argument in question 1 could be that Meursault is not deluded about his control over his life, but rather that he has a different perspective on what it means to be in control. Some might argue that Meursault's confidence and self-sufficiency are not signs of passivity, but rather a form of active engagement with the world. They could also argue that Meursault's understanding of contentment is different from Kierkegaard's, and that his sense of peace and fulfillment comes from his rejection of traditional religious and moral beliefs.

User Yu Deng
by
3.7k points