Question

ASAP PLEASE GOTTA DO MY LAST UNIT OF ENGLISH ALL TODAY

Directions:
Respond to the following prompt by writing an essay of at least 750 words.

According to Camus in “The Myth of Sisyphus,” “…fate...is a human matter which must be settled among men....At the subtle moment when man glances backward over his life...he contemplates that series of unrelated actions which becomes his fate, created by him, combined under his memory's eye and soon sealed by his death ...he concludes that all is well.” Apply this philosophy to the character of Meursault.
In your essay, sure to:

cite at least three examples from the novel or essay to support your thesis
cite at least two additional outside sources to support your thesis
utilize MLA format to reference and cite your sources

Answer 1

Both accepted fate to be ultimate in determining one's life course

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Myth of Sisyphus, Sisyphus was eternally condemned by the gods to push a rock up a hill, only to have it fall down on him again. Meursault however, is a person who is accused of murder, sent to jail for over a year, and is then executed. What both these characters have come to realize is that they are forced to live in these situations created by fate, therefore they might as well enjoy or at least get used to them.

Meursault is forced to live in a cell without any pleasures, such as his cigarettes or the love of a woman. When this happens, Meursault recalls what his mother told him.

She said that one could get used to just about anything. When Meursault realizes and understands that this is just part of his punishment, he becomes indifferent, as he always does, and accepts his situation. Though Meursault had mentally accepted his situation, his body still suffers withdraw symptoms and sexual urges. Eventually however, his body got used to it as well. He passively defies punishment by accepting his situation and enjoying himself in jail. That is when Meursault's punishment isn't a punishment anymore. When Meursault is condemned to death, he does not act surprised, although he wishes he did not have to die. After a while he accepts that too. It did not matter to him that he is going to die, since he reasoned that he would have to face the same dilemma in a few years anyway.

Answer 2

• In "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus argues that fate is a human matter that individuals must come to terms with through contemplation of their actions and memories. This idea can be applied to the character of Meursault in Camus' novel, "The Stranger." Meursault's actions throughout the novel ultimately create his fate, and through introspection and contemplation, he comes to accept it.

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• One example of this can be seen in Meursault's killing of the Arab man. Despite the lack of a clear motive, Meursault's decision to pull the trigger sets off a chain of events that lead to his ultimate fate. In reflecting on this moment, Meursault acknowledges his own responsibility, stating that he felt "like knocking off that whole intolerable crowd." He accepts that his actions led him to his current situation and that there is no changing it.

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• Another example can be seen in Meursault's relationship with Marie. Although he enjoys spending time with her, he ultimately rejects her proposal of marriage and continues to live a solitary life. Meursault's choice to reject a conventional relationship and live on his own terms ultimately leads to his eventual execution. Through introspection, Meursault accepts his fate, recognizing that his rejection of societal norms brought him to his current situation.

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• In addition to examples from the novel, Camus' philosophy can also be supported by outside sources. In "The Ethics of Ambiguity," Simone de Beauvoir argues that individuals must accept their own responsibility for their actions and the consequences that follow. Similarly, in "Existentialism is a Humanism," Jean-Paul Sartre argues that individuals must accept their freedom and responsibility for their choices, even in the face of an uncertain and unpredictable world.

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• In conclusion, Meursault's fate is ultimately determined by his own actions and choices throughout the novel. Through contemplation and acceptance of his own responsibility, he comes to terms with his fate, as Camus suggests is necessary. This philosophy is supported by both the novel and external sources, highlighting the importance of individual responsibility and acceptance in determining one's fate.