Behind it All

Monsieur Mersault is a strange character. He pays attention to unrelated things, and very often makes comments about the surroundings and not what is happening. When he killed the Arab, it could be argued that he did to defend himself; the man had a knife towards him. Also, there are facts that prove the crime as intended, but there is never an explanation of why he killed the man. One way or the other, Mersault rarely has the opportunity to give his opinion. Maybe he does not want to or other times he is not allowed: “Despite everything that was on my mind, I felt like intervening every now and then…” but then again, he “didn´t have anything to say.” There is sufficient information about the course of the crime, but not the true feelings and intentions behind it.

Since Albert Camus is considered an existentialist, the crime could be considered unpremeditated. But the facts contradict this statement. It is hard to know what was on Mersault´s mind at that time and even before. He says that he wrote the letter because he did not have any reason not to write it (pg 32) but why did he write it? We will never be able to understand the true intentions of the crime, and the strange guy behind it.