Camus creates a hidden
criticism, utilizing the vagueness of his statements, of our acceptance of
social norms throughout the novel and it leads the reader to contemplate their own
compliance with social norms. "A minute later she asked me if I loved her.
I told her it didn't mean anything but that I didn't think so. She looked
Sad" (pg. 44). The reader automatically assumes that because he
effectively says no, that he has no emotions and does not truly care for her
even after just having sex. However, the quote can also be read as, 'I not 100%
sure so please don't take too much from this.' He doesn't necessarily want to
hurt her, but he also doesn't want to lead her into something that he may
change his mind on later. He is not content with being confined into the
traditional labels of being in love or getting married. For him the simple
feeling of being together, they joy of her company should be satisfying enough.
Because for each person the boundary of love is slightly different from another
person's. He does not see the necessity in stating, I am in love, what he finds
important are the moments in life, the moments when they are together and just
for a second nothing else in the entire world matters. Society expects us to
define ourselves into these labels and failure to do so is viewed upon as
unacceptable and the person classified as weird.
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