Albert Camus
(1913-1960)
Albert Camus was born 7 November 1913 in Algeria, where he became a journalist in 1938. He went to France in 1940 and worked for the resistance against the Nazis and as editor of the clandestine daily newspaper Combat.
His most important works were published in France during and just after WWII. His 1951 essay "The Rebel" sparked major controversy, including a bitter split with Jean Paul Sartre. Camus won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957. After reporting on Algeria's war for independence from France, he died in a freak automobile accident near Paris on 4 January 1960.
His most important works were published in France during and just after WWII. His 1951 essay "The Rebel" sparked major controversy, including a bitter split with Jean Paul Sartre. Camus won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957. After reporting on Algeria's war for independence from France, he died in a freak automobile accident near Paris on 4 January 1960.
THE STRANGER
KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Although The Stranger is the first novel of Albert Camus, a well-
known twentieth century French author, it is usually considered
his best work. The book is written in an autobiographical mode
with Camus incorporating a part of his early personal life into its
pages. In spite of its autobiographical nature, Camus maintains a
critical distance with the reader through his use of the
narrator/protagonist, Mersault. Through Mersault, Camus
portrays the social conditions and injustices existing in the Arab
community in Algiers. As he describes the inadequacies of the
legal system, Camus also describes the degradation of mankind.
Although The Stranger was started much earlier, it was not
published until 1942. Written between the two world wars, it
reflects the negative attitude of the times.
SETTING
The novel is set primarily in Algiers, after it has been invaded
and colonized by the French. The narrative proclaims the dark
humor and the pessimism of the younger generation that resents
the French presence in Algeria. Since the novel was written after
World War I and before the outbreak of World War II, a sense of
absurdity and hopelessness is visible throughout the book. The
book is also set in a small beach town outside of Algiers. It is on
the beach that Mersault kills the Arab.
![[ STRANGER POSTER ]](http://ca.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/13/b70-6711)
KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Although The Stranger is the first novel of Albert Camus, a well-
known twentieth century French author, it is usually considered
his best work. The book is written in an autobiographical mode
with Camus incorporating a part of his early personal life into its
pages. In spite of its autobiographical nature, Camus maintains a
critical distance with the reader through his use of the
narrator/protagonist, Mersault. Through Mersault, Camus
portrays the social conditions and injustices existing in the Arab
community in Algiers. As he describes the inadequacies of the
legal system, Camus also describes the degradation of mankind.
Although The Stranger was started much earlier, it was not
published until 1942. Written between the two world wars, it
reflects the negative attitude of the times.
SETTING
The novel is set primarily in Algiers, after it has been invaded
and colonized by the French. The narrative proclaims the dark
humor and the pessimism of the younger generation that resents
the French presence in Algeria. Since the novel was written after
World War I and before the outbreak of World War II, a sense of
absurdity and hopelessness is visible throughout the book. The
book is also set in a small beach town outside of Algiers. It is on
the beach that Mersault kills the Arab.
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