First body

            Meursault’s careless attitude and emotional indifference is revealed through the opening lines of the novel. “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: “Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.” That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday” (Camus). Unlike most people, Meursault shows no sign of sadness or remorse when he found out his mother died. Although he addresses his mother as “maman,” a term of endearment, the only detail that concerned him was the actual day of his mother’s death. Evidently, Meursault is not affected by the death. Moreover, Meursault’s line, “that doesn’t mean anything” could be perceived as a comment related to the day his mother died. However, he could have implied that his mother’s death does not matter. This comment introduces the reader to Camus’ theory about the meaninglessness of human life. Because the novel begins with the theme of death, it is apparent that this will be a reoccurring idea throughout the narrative. In fact, Meursault initially believes that the human condition is inescapable. “She said, “If you go slowly, you risk getting sunstroke. But if you go too fast, you work up a sweat and then catch a chill inside the church.” She was right. There was no way out” (  ). Although the nurse was talking about the heat, Meursault’s addition of “there is no way out” generalizes how the reader perceives the nurses advice. In fact, Meursault will eventually realize the implied meaning of the nurse at the end of the novel and discover Camus’ theory on the meaninglessness of life.