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Comparison Of Meursault And Raymond In The Stranger, By Albert Camus

Decent Essays

In the novel The Stranger, written by Albert Camus, Meursault, who works in an office, and Raymond, who says he works in a warehouse, end up getting involved with a few atrocious incidents. The main character, Meursault, is foiled by his friend and neighbor Raymond. A foil is someone who gives contrast to another. These two have many similarities and even some differences that enhance one another.
Meursault and Raymond have some similarities that make it easy for them to get along with each other. One correlation they share is their thoughtlessness. Raymond doesn’t think before he does, and Meursault doesn’t think before he speaks. In the book, Raymond does a few things that he should have thought twice about before doing. For example, “...he’d go to bed with her and, just when she was ‘properly primed up,’ he’d spit in her face and throw her out of the room” (Chapter 3; Part 1). This was a plan that needed more thinking and would most …show more content…

One characteristic they do not share is honesty. In The Stranger, Meursault is always honest and he never lies about anything. “He doesn't see the need to lie about things in order to conform with society's morals.” In the text, Marie asks Meursault if he wants to get married then he honestly says, “I explained that it had no importance really, but, if it would give her pleasure, we could get married right away” (Chapter 5; Part 1). On the other hand, Raymond is not always honest, he has no problem with lying to get him out of trouble. In the text, he says “I’m not tight,” Raymond explained. “Only when I see you standing there and looking at me, I can’t help trembling.” This was a lie because he was not afraid of cops. With one being honest and the other not so much, they enhance each other more. “Sketchy, insincere, and thoughtless, Raymond provides great contrast to Meursault’s introspective nature and honest (albeit callous) character

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