The Stranger by Albert Camus was published in 1942. The setting of the novel is Algiers where Camus spent his youth in poverty. In many ways the main character, Meursault, is a typical Algerian youth. Like them, and like Camus himself, Meursault was in love with the sun and the sea. His life is devoted to appreciating physical sensations. He seems so devoid of emotion. Something in Meursault’s character has appealed primarily to readers since the book’s publication. Is he an absurd anti-hero? Is he a moral monster? Is he a rebel against a conventional morality? Critics and readers alike have disputed a variety of approaches to Meursault. I believe he is the embryo of Camus’ metaphysical rebel as articulated in the philosophical essay, The Rebel. He is the man who says by his actions, “I will go this far, but no farther.”
In order to understand Meursault’s rebellion we must first understand the nature of his personality as portrayed by Camus. The novel begins with the laconic assertion “Mother died today. Or, maybe, yesterday; I can’t be sure.” His mother’s death briefly interrupts the pleasant flow of Meursault’s life, a life devoted to appreciating sensation. He loves the feel of a crisp towel in the washroom. He enjoys eating, drinking, and smoking cigarettes. He loves to watch the sea and the sky. Swimming and making love to pretty girls like Marie are his favorite pastimes, so much so that an offer of a job promotion in Paris does not in the least appeal to him. When something bores him or distresses him he simply goes to sleep, as he does on the bus to his mother’s funeral and even in jail. He is a detached observer of life. Symbolic of this quality…
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… noble act. Even we might be able to do that.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bree, Germaine. Camus. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1964.
Camus, Albert. The Rebel. New York: Vintage Books, 1954
Champigny, Robert. A Pagan Hero. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1969.
Cruickshank, John. Albert Camus and the Literature of Revolt. New York: Oxford University Press, 1960.
King. Adele. Camus. New York: Capricorn Books, 1971.
Lottman, Herbert R. Albert Camus: A Biography. New York: George Braziller Inc. 1980.
Masters, Brian. Camus: A Study. London: Heinemann, 1974.
McCarthy, Patrick. Camus: A Critical Study of his Life and Works. London: Hamish Hamilton, 1982.
O’Brien, Conor Cruise. Albert Camus of Europe and Asia. New York: Viking Press, 1970.
Quillot, Roger. The Sea and Prisons. University of Alabama: University of Alabama Press, 1970
Merchant of Venice Essay: The Character of Portia
The Character of Portia in Merchant of Venice
In his Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare wants the reader to admire Portia, arguably the most powerful character in the play. However, it is easy to mistake the word ‘admiration’ to mean simply a liking of someone’s positive virtues. Rather, we should like Portia because of those things that make her a multi-faceted character. Though she can appear to be an “unlessoned girl,” she is also conniving, manipulative, and powerful. Three examples that effectively show her prowess and as a result win our admiration of her occur during the casket, the trial, and the ring scenes.
One reason why Shakespeare wants us to appreciate Portia is because of the respect that radiates from her during the casket scene. Respect is clearly shown when she follows the prescription of her father’s will, which stipulates that she is to be wed to whoever can successfully figure out the riddle of the caskets and pick the one that has her likeness in it:
I may neither choose who I would nor refuse
who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter curbed
by the will of a dead father. (I.2.22-24)
Portia realizes that she has little to say in the matter, and nowhere does she hint at not following her father’s wishes and marrying whomever she wants. Portia’s faith to her father is steadfast as she goes through the ritual of entertaining potential suitor over and over again. However, that is not to say that Portia is fond of her predicament, because clearly she is not. When Morocco fails to pick the correct casket and leaves in a distraught manner, she is relieved and exclaims: “A gentle riddance” (II.7.78).
Portia must also be admired for her unwavering love and support of her Bassanio. Whi…
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…tely frees Antonio (and perhaps even Bassanio) and at the same time obliterates Shylock.
Therefore, Portia is a character whom Shakespeare means to be highly admired. She possesses qualities that make her the adoration of some and the envy of others. She is highly skilled at whatever task she undertakes; yet she retains an aura of compassion and a strong sense of commitment. She puts herself on the line for the sake of her Bassanio. On the other hand, when she is crossed – or better yet when something she is endeared to is threatened – she is prepared to unleash a havoc to make things better again.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. 1967. Ed. W. Moelwyn Merchant. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996.
– – -. Othello. 1968. Ed. Kenneth Muir. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996.