Journal #2 -The Stranger

Option 2: Camus use of the first person point of view allows the reader to experience the world through a limited perspective, that still retains a somewhat objective tone. Although, under normal circumstances, a first person point of view would involve a lot of personal bias, not much is seen throughout the novel due to Meursault's generally indifferent attitude towards most things. I believe that Camus didn't use a 3rd person omniscient point of view because he wanted to preserve the mysterious nature of Meursault's world. Had he allowed the reader to delve into other characters' thoughts, many of the curiosities and questions of Meursault would disappear as a new, outside influence would be affecting our view on him. The first person point of view forces the reader to think about the answers to the many questions that arise while reading the novel, not just giving them away through another character's thoughts or feelings. This point of view relates back to one of the key themes of The Stranger in which Camus attempts to get the reader to question the meaning of life by leaving so many unanswered questions that can be left to many different interpretations.