"We slept in what had once been the gymnasium. The floor was of varnished wood, with stripes and circles painted on it, for the games that were formerly played there; the hoops for the basketball nets were still in place, though the nets were gone. A balcony ran around the room, for the spectators, and I thought I could smell, faintly like an afterimage, the pungent scent of sweat, shot through with the sweet taint of chewing gum and perfume from the watching girls, felt-skirted as I knew from pictures, later in miniskirts, then pants, then in one earring, spiky green-streaked hair. Dances would have been held there; the music lingered, a palimpest of unheard sound, style upon style, an undercurrent of drums, a forlorn wail, garlands made of tissue-paper flowers, cardboard devils, a revolving ball of mirrors, powdering the dances with a snow of light." (Page 1, Chapter 1)
The first sentence shows that there are multiple people the main character is near. A gymnasium is a large amount of space, this shows the reader that more than likely, there is a big group of people in this particular area. There is constant imagery within this paragraph, this shows the setting and how this character is looking back in her life. By how the gymnasium is described, it resembles a high school gymnasium. The reader now knows that the main character as well as the "we" characters are in a high school. "...though the nets were gone." This shows that people are not able to play basketball in this area. It shows that having simple fun, as in playing a game, is not allowed. A balcony is over a particular area. The people who are on the balcony are higher than them showing dominance. The rest of the paragraph seems to be a flashback of when there was a dance in the gym around the time of halloween from the "...cardboard devils..." description. This must be a fond memory of the main character.
October 20, 2011
October 17, 2011
The Stranger: Journal Six
Maman.
Father.
Murderer.
Executed.
Ideas.
Mistake.
Realized.
My heart.
Escapes.
Serious.
Possibility.
Fact.
Understand.
I don't feel like talking.
Father.
Murderer.
Executed.
Ideas.
Mistake.
Realized.
My heart.
Escapes.
Serious.
Possibility.
Fact.
Understand.
I don't feel like talking.
The Stranger: Journal Five
First off, part one of this book show's how Meursault seems to be indifferent about everything. He would not go in depth with what he thought or how he felt. He would go to work, drink coffee, smoke, sleep, and partake in sexual activities with Marie. When she asked him about marriage he was indifferent upon the thought. I can back this up by the quote, "That evening Marie came by to see me and asked me if I wanted to marry her. I said it didn't make any difference to me and that we could if she wanted to." (Page 41) By him saying this, it shows to the reader how he is indifferent about his personal relationship. On a side note, I was wondering to myself why she would stay with him. Why would she put herself through a relationship where she loves him, but he does not know what he truly wants and won't give a straight answer? To me, that would be a major red flag with the relationship. In part one there were a few minor characters that were introduced, as in, Marie, Raymond, the boss, the funeral man, the old man with his dog, the girlfriend of Raymond, and Masson. These people were talked about most. Anyhow, Meursault would notice people's physical characteristics through out part one, he would not make such harsh judgements towards people. He seemed grouchy, but he would not say anything, because that was the type of person he was. After he met Raymond, his thoughts and actions became different. He began to think more like Raymond. In part two he stopped drinking coffee, stopped smoking, his sexual life became non-existent due to him being in prison, he stopped noticing people's eyes. There were more people in part two who were talked about. The jury, the judge, the lawyers, the type-writer, the chaplain, some of the other men who were in prison, ect. The setting changed to his house to the prison. His thoughts changed to him actually being thoughtful and appreciating life and not wanting it to end. He thought about how he lived and what he wanted. His thoughts became in depth and he tried to realize that he could have had a better life. He had sudden realizations as in why his Maman had a fiance at the end of her life. Religion was also talked a lot in this part. I think this was to show how important religion is to people. How people use religion as a tool to feel safety, and that there is something better than life on Earth, that there is something to look forward to and not be scared of. I find it interesting how the chaplain says that the people he has seen have converted to God before there death, I find this to be kind of upsetting in a way, that they are either believing in God because they are scared adn do not want to die; but I also find it good that they are believing in something. I am not sure though.
(This may seem a bit jumbly, that is because, it is. My thoughts with this journal are a bit on and off but I hope I made a couple good points.)
(This may seem a bit jumbly, that is because, it is. My thoughts with this journal are a bit on and off but I hope I made a couple good points.)
The Stranger: Journal Four
"He was waving his crucifix almost directly over my head." (Pg. 68)
"He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him." (pg. 69)
"For the third time I've refused to see the chaplain." (Pg.108)
"I said that I didn't believe in God. He wanted to know if I was sure and I said that I didn't see any reason to ask myself that question: it seemed unimportant." (Pg.116)
"Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him." (Pg. 116-117)
"I had only a little time left and I didn't want to waste it on God." (Pg. 120)
-Characters in this book push religion on others.
-Meursault does not believe that he should turn to religion because he is in a tough spot.
-The second to last quote shows that most people who are scared to die turn to religion.
-Meursault stays true to his beliefs.
"One last thing: it seems your mother often expressed to her friends her desire for a religious burial." (Pg. 6)
"While not an athiest, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion." (Pg.6)
-Maman never thought about religion. When she was close to dieing, she wanted something better to hope for. Therefore she went to religion.
Marie almost sounds like Mary. This seemed to be reffering to the Virgin Mary in bibical terms; although the reader understands that she is the exact opposite of the bibical woman.
"Over his bed he has a pink-and-white plaster angel, somepicture of famous athletes, and two or three photographs of naked women."
-Raymond uses the angel to justify his actions.
"He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him." (pg. 69)
"For the third time I've refused to see the chaplain." (Pg.108)
"I said that I didn't believe in God. He wanted to know if I was sure and I said that I didn't see any reason to ask myself that question: it seemed unimportant." (Pg.116)
"Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him." (Pg. 116-117)
"I had only a little time left and I didn't want to waste it on God." (Pg. 120)
-Characters in this book push religion on others.
-Meursault does not believe that he should turn to religion because he is in a tough spot.
-The second to last quote shows that most people who are scared to die turn to religion.
-Meursault stays true to his beliefs.
"One last thing: it seems your mother often expressed to her friends her desire for a religious burial." (Pg. 6)
"While not an athiest, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion." (Pg.6)
-Maman never thought about religion. When she was close to dieing, she wanted something better to hope for. Therefore she went to religion.
Marie almost sounds like Mary. This seemed to be reffering to the Virgin Mary in bibical terms; although the reader understands that she is the exact opposite of the bibical woman.
"Over his bed he has a pink-and-white plaster angel, somepicture of famous athletes, and two or three photographs of naked women."
-Raymond uses the angel to justify his actions.
The Stranger: Journal Three
Stranger:
1. a person with whom one has had no personal acquaintance.
Outsider:
1. a person not belonging to a particular group, set, party, etc.
Foreigner:
1. a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien.
(Definitions from Dictionary.com)
I am not quite sure if my interpretation of the title is correct, or even remotely accurate, but this is what I think the title is reffering to. Obviously the book focus's on Meusault. I believe that the title refers towards this character in some way. He is a type of person who keeps to himself; he is also the type of person when he doesn't have a preference or does not really care for something, he will not say anything. "I didn't say anything..." (Pg. 29) He seems to be a stranger, because he is indeed an "interesting" character in society, but he always seems to be an outsider. Since he killed a man, he was sent to prison, criminals are thought to be "outsiders" due to their actions. They are sent away. Away from society. I think the foreign part is talking about the Arabs. I am a little confused upon this concept.
1. a person with whom one has had no personal acquaintance.
Outsider:
1. a person not belonging to a particular group, set, party, etc.
Foreigner:
1. a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien.
(Definitions from Dictionary.com)
I am not quite sure if my interpretation of the title is correct, or even remotely accurate, but this is what I think the title is reffering to. Obviously the book focus's on Meusault. I believe that the title refers towards this character in some way. He is a type of person who keeps to himself; he is also the type of person when he doesn't have a preference or does not really care for something, he will not say anything. "I didn't say anything..." (Pg. 29) He seems to be a stranger, because he is indeed an "interesting" character in society, but he always seems to be an outsider. Since he killed a man, he was sent to prison, criminals are thought to be "outsiders" due to their actions. They are sent away. Away from society. I think the foreign part is talking about the Arabs. I am a little confused upon this concept.
October 3, 2011
The Stranger: Journal Two
Minor Characters in Chapter Three:
The Boss: He asked Mersault how he was feeling the day he returned. "The boss was nice." (Pg.25)
-He seems to be afraid of death due to him asking Mersault what age his mother was when she died. He was relieved by the age he told him, therefor I believe he was relieved that his time may not be as close as he expected.
Emmanuel: "...who works as a dispatcher."(Pg.25)
-He seems to e a pal of Mersault. He enjoys laughing.
Celeste: Owner of restaraunt? "Celeste was there, as always, with his big belly, his apron, and his white moustache."(Pg.26)
-I think he is hard-working, and not really in anyone's business besides his own.
Salamano: "I ran into old Salamano, my neighbor across the landing." (Pg.26)
-He has a dog that he has had for eight years. He is mean to the dog, and the dog whimpers a lot due to him hurting him.
Raymond Sintes: "Generally speaking, hi's not very popular."(Pg.28)
-Seems that he wants more friends. Upset with what his mistress had done. Wanted revenge. Doesn't seem pleasant.
Raymond's mistress: "I knew this lady... as a matter of fact, well, she was my mistress."
-She seems like she is a gold digger. She was using Raymond's money, and she is accused of cheating on him although he does not seem to have too much evidence.
The Boss: He asked Mersault how he was feeling the day he returned. "The boss was nice." (Pg.25)
-He seems to be afraid of death due to him asking Mersault what age his mother was when she died. He was relieved by the age he told him, therefor I believe he was relieved that his time may not be as close as he expected.
Emmanuel: "...who works as a dispatcher."(Pg.25)
-He seems to e a pal of Mersault. He enjoys laughing.
Celeste: Owner of restaraunt? "Celeste was there, as always, with his big belly, his apron, and his white moustache."(Pg.26)
-I think he is hard-working, and not really in anyone's business besides his own.
Salamano: "I ran into old Salamano, my neighbor across the landing." (Pg.26)
-He has a dog that he has had for eight years. He is mean to the dog, and the dog whimpers a lot due to him hurting him.
Raymond Sintes: "Generally speaking, hi's not very popular."(Pg.28)
-Seems that he wants more friends. Upset with what his mistress had done. Wanted revenge. Doesn't seem pleasant.
Raymond's mistress: "I knew this lady... as a matter of fact, well, she was my mistress."
-She seems like she is a gold digger. She was using Raymond's money, and she is accused of cheating on him although he does not seem to have too much evidence.
October 2, 2011
The Stranger: Journal One
Religion: His mother is not religious. She is not an athiest, she just never really cared about religion, although she wanted her buriel religious. This is explained on Page 6, "One last thing: it seems your mother often expressed to her friends her desire for a religious burial. I have taken the liberty of making the necessary arrangements. But I wanted to let you know.' I thanked him. While not an athiest, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion."
Meursault: This character seems to be under a lot of stress. He also seems to not really care about his mothers death. The narration is very short, which I find that to mean something. Although I am not quite sure what that "something" is.
In the first paragraph I noticed the sentences were very short. He does not seem to care about his mothers death by the two sentences, "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know." A person would think, or even care when the death of their mother was. This really astounded me. I feel that their relationship was not so great or he is just selfish. He did not cry when he was at her funeral, he did not even want to see her in the casket. When a woman started crying he did not want to hear it. You would think he would be crying due to the death of his mother; But he is not.
I have noticed eight events that reoccur in a short amount of time. Although these may not particularily have any significance, I feel that I should brainstorm with them.
Smell: Meursault is very in tune with what he smells.
".... the smell of gasoline..." (Pg.4)
"....and the smell of flowers on the night air is coming through the open door." (Pg.9)
"I breathed in the smell of fresh earth and I wasn't sleepy anymore." (Pg.12)
I feel that this man is very in tune with what is going on around him. He puts his senses to good use and I feel that this protrays his character to be intelligent. I am not quite certain if the meaning is what the author would like me to realize though.
Sky: Meursault seems to always know what the color of the sky is.
"...the glare of the sky..." (Pg.4)
"Darkness had gathered, quickly, above the skylight." (Pg.8)
"Dawn was creeping up over the skylight." (Pg.11)
"...the sky was streaked with red." (Pg.12)
"The sky was already filled with light." (Pg.15)
So on and so forth. I have realized that the sky helps settle the mood for the reader. When an event is upsetting, the sky becomes darker. When Meursault seems to be in a happier mood, the sky is lighter.
Sleep: Meursault is always tired and seems to sleep quite often.
"....that I dozed off." (Pg.4)
"...the white walls were making me drowsy." (Pg.9)
"I think I dozed off for a while." (Pg.9)
"Then I dozed off again." (Pg.11)
"I was tired." (Pg.12)
He is a very tired man. When someone is upset or depressed they are most likely wanting to sleep all the time. I feel that he is in a depressed state. This may also explain the reason why he is very short answered and the narrator is speaking with short sentences.
Eyes: Meursault pays attention to other characters eyes very often.
"He looked at me with his clear eyes." (Pg.4)
"Maman used to spend her time following me with her eyes...." (Pg.5)
"He had nice pale blue eyes...." (Pg.6)
" ....She had a bandage wrapped around her head just below her eyes." (Pg.7)
"I'd had my eyes closed..." (Pg.9)
The eyes of the character show something about the character itself. I think the eyes show who a person really is.
Crying: There is a lot of crying through out the first couple of chapters. This is because of his mothers death. Although he does not cry. He only seems to be thinking about her death, but not about her, herself.
"A few months later and she would have cried if she was taken out." (Pg.5)
"Soon one of the women started crying." (Pg.10)
"....and went on crying as much as before." (Pg.10)
Neck: Meurasult's neck hurts quite a bit. When you are tense about something, your neck tenses. He seems to be very stressed.
"...breathing down my neck...."(Pg.7)
Coffee: When people are overly tired they drink coffee.
"....to bring a cup of coffee....."(Pg.8)
"I have to get some chairs and some black coffee." (Pg.9)
"....the coffee had warmed up...."(Pg.9)
Smoking: He has a bad habit of smoking too.
"Then I felt like having a smoke." (Pg.8)
"I offered the caretaker a cigerette and we smoked." (Pg.8)
"I smoked a couple cigerettes..."(Pg.22)
"I wanted to smoke a cigerette." (Pg.24)
Meursault: This character seems to be under a lot of stress. He also seems to not really care about his mothers death. The narration is very short, which I find that to mean something. Although I am not quite sure what that "something" is.
In the first paragraph I noticed the sentences were very short. He does not seem to care about his mothers death by the two sentences, "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know." A person would think, or even care when the death of their mother was. This really astounded me. I feel that their relationship was not so great or he is just selfish. He did not cry when he was at her funeral, he did not even want to see her in the casket. When a woman started crying he did not want to hear it. You would think he would be crying due to the death of his mother; But he is not.
I have noticed eight events that reoccur in a short amount of time. Although these may not particularily have any significance, I feel that I should brainstorm with them.
Smell: Meursault is very in tune with what he smells.
".... the smell of gasoline..." (Pg.4)
"....and the smell of flowers on the night air is coming through the open door." (Pg.9)
"I breathed in the smell of fresh earth and I wasn't sleepy anymore." (Pg.12)
I feel that this man is very in tune with what is going on around him. He puts his senses to good use and I feel that this protrays his character to be intelligent. I am not quite certain if the meaning is what the author would like me to realize though.
Sky: Meursault seems to always know what the color of the sky is.
"...the glare of the sky..." (Pg.4)
"Darkness had gathered, quickly, above the skylight." (Pg.8)
"Dawn was creeping up over the skylight." (Pg.11)
"...the sky was streaked with red." (Pg.12)
"The sky was already filled with light." (Pg.15)
So on and so forth. I have realized that the sky helps settle the mood for the reader. When an event is upsetting, the sky becomes darker. When Meursault seems to be in a happier mood, the sky is lighter.
Sleep: Meursault is always tired and seems to sleep quite often.
"....that I dozed off." (Pg.4)
"...the white walls were making me drowsy." (Pg.9)
"I think I dozed off for a while." (Pg.9)
"Then I dozed off again." (Pg.11)
"I was tired." (Pg.12)
He is a very tired man. When someone is upset or depressed they are most likely wanting to sleep all the time. I feel that he is in a depressed state. This may also explain the reason why he is very short answered and the narrator is speaking with short sentences.
Eyes: Meursault pays attention to other characters eyes very often.
"He looked at me with his clear eyes." (Pg.4)
"Maman used to spend her time following me with her eyes...." (Pg.5)
"He had nice pale blue eyes...." (Pg.6)
" ....She had a bandage wrapped around her head just below her eyes." (Pg.7)
"I'd had my eyes closed..." (Pg.9)
The eyes of the character show something about the character itself. I think the eyes show who a person really is.
Crying: There is a lot of crying through out the first couple of chapters. This is because of his mothers death. Although he does not cry. He only seems to be thinking about her death, but not about her, herself.
"A few months later and she would have cried if she was taken out." (Pg.5)
"Soon one of the women started crying." (Pg.10)
"....and went on crying as much as before." (Pg.10)
Neck: Meurasult's neck hurts quite a bit. When you are tense about something, your neck tenses. He seems to be very stressed.
"...breathing down my neck...."(Pg.7)
Coffee: When people are overly tired they drink coffee.
"....to bring a cup of coffee....."(Pg.8)
"I have to get some chairs and some black coffee." (Pg.9)
"....the coffee had warmed up...."(Pg.9)
Smoking: He has a bad habit of smoking too.
"Then I felt like having a smoke." (Pg.8)
"I offered the caretaker a cigerette and we smoked." (Pg.8)
"I smoked a couple cigerettes..."(Pg.22)
"I wanted to smoke a cigerette." (Pg.24)
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