Albert Camus’s the Stranger

watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/f5IFEE2uk8E

This is one of the few novels I read cover to cover, back in high school. I don't think I got then exactly what the author intended, but I remember liking it. It resonated with me. The main character is expected by society to be emotionally performative and is condemned essentially for his refusal to outwardly virtue signal.

"When a muscle is worked, it will hurt at first, but if worked often, the pain ceases and the body gets adjusted. Why then do we expect the heart to ache if it has been worked an excessive amount beforehand, clad to steel and ridden of sensitivity?"

What's interesting about the question of toxic masculinity in terms of Mersault, is that it doesn't apply to him at all. He is very passive, quiet and submissive, without preference or desire, allowing everyone else to lead him along. His lack of emotional expression is contrasted with the more typical men around him, who emote anger and frustration at their dogs or mistresses, who care about appearing virile or dominant, and who demonstrate an ease with being men of action. They align much closer to masculine archetype than he does. Mersault's lack of emotional expression has nothing to do with his gender; it is existential and idiosyncratic. A man who has internalized toxic masculinity represses his natural urge to emote or cry when it would be appropriate and healthy (ie a man who genuinely has the urge to cry and is alone/safe and has sufficient time to process grief) he bullies himself and seeks to bully those who don't conform to this idea because he fears all vulnerability. Mersault does not seem to care if he is seen as virile or if he reveals vulnerability. His lack of emotion is is more the result of other things not particular to gender: *a pervasive sense of alienation and purposelessness * his life experience taught him his hopes and desires dont matter, (he had to leave his studies to go to work, and this is when he stopped having any ambition), so he has essentially given up on preferences as futile to protect himself from the emotional pain of disappointment and is content to just withdraw and go along in the moment.

I've read this novel over 40 times, it's honestly one of my favorite books of all time. Every time I read it, I always pick up on things. I don't think I could ever get tired of this book

This is literally my favourite book of all time, and i really loved your take/analysis on it! I love how you mentioned that the cries of hate would make Mersault feel less alone in his final moments, since a lot of people i know interpreted it as him making fun of his crowd. In the end, Mersault was able to cope with his inevitable death, and in my honest opinion the ending fits perfectly with the book's theme of coping with the absurd.

I’m reading this book for the rest of my life

I literally have one of Albert Camus books at my side. Thanks for talking about one of my favourite philosophers.

Great vid mate. You have changed my life through these.... I have started reading philosophy excessively

i just finished this book as audiobook just this morning and now i have your video. what i get from this is the perspective of the emotionless protag.

Love you channel. Thank you for doing it.

Just read this one last month. As always, what a great analysis! Thank you so much for your content <3

This book changed me a lot I dont want to live a life without purpose or meaning and end up like him at end

Camus a great writer of intelligence. Thank you for this video. ❤ Death is faced everyday in the counting of seconds. The realization of death is to see it in the mirrors of existence. Embrace it and live.

i read this in the original french and it was brilliant; i should probably reread it in english just to recap/maybe pick up on something i've missed. if any of you are learning french or happen to speak it to a somewhat decent level then this work of art is a no-brainer.

Great video, will definitely give it a read

Geeat review thanks! Helped me understand it much better!

I read 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus in a day. I read the English translation by Matthew Ward. First the ending for me gave me the idea that he is imprisoned for life. But your video guided me to his oncoming execution. I also read a sinhalese translation of the same novel. Thanks for the lovely share of your valuable wisdom. Keep up the good work. Best wishes from Sri Lanka.

While reading this novel i was anticipating a turning point that could intrigue me but in the end i learned the pivotal point of this writing quite different perspective of millions innerselves we have a lot of people around us that are misunderstood on the bases of their different behaviour and mentality.

watching your videos make my day, a little of happiness in this hell called existence🔥