Meursault and Human Nature

 

Is it natural to be indifferent in the worst situations? Is it natural to just not care about your surroundings and just carry on with life?

Both of these questions are relevant to Meursault as he consistently seems indifferent to the atmosphere around him. Whether it be Marie confessing her love for him and inquiring about marriage, or Raymond detailing his situation with his mistress, Meursault shows no signs of true care. At first glance, this would seem to be in complete opposition with human nature, as we are very perceptive and have immediate judgements – if not any visible reaction – to everything.  

However, Meursault still remains conscious of his uniqueness; he accepts that he no longer analyzes himself, and – whether we openly admit it or not – with each person seeing themselves as the center of world, he could no longer analyze the rest of the world. Though it is unclear at this moment as to why he is incapable of such normal behavior, his whole narrative is still logical and consistent.

Without any care for further meaning, why spend time exploring each detail to its full extent? Why not just list the events regardless of whether they transition soothingly?

How can you even be emotionally attached if you never spend time thinking of the importance of others to you?

If the law is an objective set of rules for life, isn’t it easier just to follow them, and face the appropriate consequences when necessary, than construct your own subjective set of guidelines in life?

Meursault’s entire character is not unnatural once we consider that from his baseline of little desire to understand himself or the world, his behavior is sensical. Human nature may be to act selfishly and be judgmental and competitive, but it does not dictate to what extent. Some of these characteristics may seem less apparent in Meursault’s foundation, but that does not mean he is immune from human nature: occasionally, we still see sparks of some deeper realization in himself.