journal Entry 6 Stranger

Sorry this is late, I was absent from school due to being sick. Told me in class today that I could turn in this journal today.

1. Word Choice- Camus always uses short, and simple words to describe what is going on in the stranger. This helps create a certain pace in the story, since the author doesn't get bogged down in writing down long, descriptive paragraphs. It also shows a little about Mersault and how he thinks. Why doesn't Camus let Mersault have any eloquent, emotional dialogue?


2. Sentence Structure-Camus always uses short, yet descriptive sentences to convey what is going on in the story. This is important, for it helps to keep the story to the point in novel. It keeps the story focused on Mersualt's story, not giving the reader any distracting metaphors or large imagery sentences. It also helps to let the reader make conclusions for themselves. Why doesn't Camus give any longer sentences to convey a deeper meaning.


3. Images- Camus always uses the image of alcohol, lust, and smoking in the story. This helps give a light on the characterization of Mersault. Why doesn't Camus use any lighter images, such as a simple sea or a lovely abode?


4. Symbols-Camus uses the sun through out the novel. It seems that the sun is symbol of pain as it always seems to be hurting Mersault's eyes or causing him irritation. Why does Camus convey the sun as a painful symbol, rather than one that caused romance, or serinity?


5. Figures of Speech- Camus seems to make Mersault the black sheep in the novel, while all the other characters seem similar to each other: they are all more openly emotional and are happy. This helps develop a unique characterization of Mersault as well as a different outlook on life. Why doesn't Camus make a character that is similar to Mersault?


6. Rhetorical Devices- When comparing the narrator, who is Mersault, to when Mersault is actually talking, it seems that there isn't really a lot there, that it is kind of barren of any thought. This helps develop Mersault's character. Why doesn't Camus let Mersault's character deepen a little bit?


7. Patterns- Camus always makes Mersault complain about the sun and how it hurts him. This helps give away a unique metaphor and how Mersault responds to the outside world. Why does Camus make the sun work against Mersault?


8. Narrators-Camus seems to use very little dialouge in the story, and yet Mersault is the one narrating what is happening to him. This helps give incentive as to what Mersault is thinking about various issues, but keeps the other characters secret opinions a secret. Why does Camus let Mersault narrate Mersault's own life instead of telling the story or Mersault himself?


9. Structure- The days in the novel The Stranger are always going by at a rapid pace, usually having muliple days go by in a chapter. this creates a fast paced novel, and shows that it will focus only on the topics that are needed, and won't go into a lot of detail. Why doesn't Camus have a few chapters that slow the day down?