Bhavana A. Narayanan (IB1) Reflective Statement

Question: How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the interactive oral?

Work Used: The Outsider by Albert Camus

Several matters including religion, racial relations, the setting and the legal system were focused upon during the discussion. Essentially, it is noted that the elements of society that one conventionally gives more importance to such as religion and racial relations plays a smaller, almost inconspicuous role in the novel. While on the contrary, the various settings in the novel such as the beach, courtroom, the old-age home, are made to seem all the more significant through their detailed descriptions. This characteristically highlights how the physical aspects of the world is the sole factor to the essence of life which is one of the major themes explored in this novel.

On a different note, it is interesting to see that Camus bases several aspects in his novel to the historical background of the time period during which this tale took place. For instance, Camus’ choice of naming the French characters in the novel but not the Arabs reflects how the French are superior to the Arabs. Also, the ease with which Mersault kills the Arab reinforces the indifferent attitude that he carries towards the Arabs – as though killing an Arab is no less than killing an animal. This incident I believe metaphorically reinforces the racial tension that was present between the two races during that period in the Algerian Society.

Furthermore, Camus solely focuses on Christianity as the main religion that plays a role in the Algerian society - which is possibly influenced by the colonization of the French during that period. This emphasizes the dominance that the French have over the Arabs in Algeria which again reflects back to the historical background of colonial Algeria; thus bringing to light the idea of inequality present in the society. I particularly acknowledge Camus’ touch of realism in this novel as it is not only informative of the societal situation that was established in Algeria at the time but it also enables me to connect to the novel in greater depth.

Word Count: 328