The Stranger Essay - Transition 1 paragraph

Through he ‘exorcism’ Meursault unlocks emotions and by unlocking emotions he opens himself to worlds he previously could never understand. He learns to understand the concept of religion, of happiness, of joy. For the first time he understands his feelings that previously remained a complete mystery to him.

The Stranger Essay Body Paragraph 5

Meursault’s emotional awakening finally allowed him to understand the rational behind his ambivalence towards his mother’s death. He finally saw how she desired to live once more from the very beginning. That is why she was interested in a fiancée. She wanted to feel young and to once again experience the youthful joys of love that could carry you from the pits of pain up to the lofty heights of cloud 9.  And to some extend she achieved a momentary return to youth allowing her to spend her final days with a fulfillment and a satisfaction with her life. Her joy towards the end of life (I would never feel sorry quote) because she finished her life content and that was all that mattered. Manman defied what society declared was the appropriate actions for the elderly, taking her personal joy and happiness as superior to the demands that people place upon her. Because she embraced the silent joyful rebellion and ended her life blissfully Meursault could not possibly feel sorry for an individual who was content with the end. 

The Stranger Essay - Body 4

Once Meursault understands his true feelings he recognizes his opposition to that which is established, something that has been hinted at throughout the novel. He feels the world has become “like a brother” and for the first time he feels the kinship of a familial male relationship. He achieved an understanding of the world that he believes to be true and has connected with that higher power on a personal level of understanding. Ironically, he has come to understand the one thing he previously claimed he could not, the concept of god. To him the world lacks respect for the customs and rules of man, just as he does. He feels the complete awe of the stars, hears the gentle lapping of the waves, and the warm basking glow of the sun. He understands that personal fulfill meant that comes with doing what he feels is right, not what society tells him he should believe to be right. Where before he had been almost like a predator drone for society watching, observing from a distance without thinking and doing only what he is told. However, after this experience he is freed of his controller and is able to think and understand for himself and can determine his own beliefs and feelings separate from the emotional distance he had been programmed with.

The Stranger Essay - Body 3

Meursault’s body had become trapped within the walls of his cold stony cell, but the metal bars could not contain his mind allowing his emotions to leak out. When the priest once again visits him we witness an exorcism of his emotion demons flying out of the box all at once, release the evil and hatred that he has tried so hard to contain. Meursault had achieved the one thing that he believed he never could, salvation, an emotional salvation that frees his soul from the burdens he had placed upon himself. He had refused to see the paster since their first encounter because he discovered something new. He discovered fear. He was afraid of what would come out of his demon’s layer what evils truly lurked there and how that would change him. For the first time the pastor introduced a question that he could not answer, the question of god and eternity. Meursault couldn’t fathom the probability of something that he could not see or observe. He believed that only things that he could touch or see, something concrete were real.