Albert Camus and The Stranger Albert Camus 1913

Albert Camus and The Stranger Albert Camus (1913 - 1960), a French philosopher of the absurd, novelist, and dramatist

Albert Camus n born in Algeria in 1913 n settled in Paris and studied philosophy and literature n considered a principal author of the existentialist movement n writings often considered controversial

Albert Camus, cont. n Writings affected by the time period, especially the horrors of WWII n Work is characterized by simple plots, effectiveness of dialogue and dramatic effects, and an exploration of the hypocrisy of life.

L’Étranger Memorable quotes

4. Which of the translations in the next four slides seems the most accurate? Most readable? Give evidence: WHY? ?

Aujourd’hui, maman est morte. n n n Literally: Today, Mom is dead. Stuart Gilbert: Mother died today. Matthew Ward: Maman died today.

Et c’était comme quatre coups brefs que je frappais sur la porte du malheur. n n n Literally: And it was as four brief shots I struck on the door of unhappiness. Stuart Gilbert: And each successive shot was another loud, fateful rap on the door of my undoing. Matthew Ward: And it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness.

…je m’ouvrais pour la premiere fois à la tendre indifférence du monde. n n n Literally: …I was first opened to the tender indifference of the world. Stuart Gilbert: …for the first time, the first, I laid my heart open to the benign indifference of the universe. Matthew Ward: …for the first time…I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.

Pour que tout soit consommé, pour que je me sente moins seul, il me restait à souhaiter qu’il y ait beaucoup de spectateurs le jour de mon exécution et qu’ils m’accueillent avec des cris de haine. n n n Literally: So everything is consumed, so I myself feel less alone, it remained to hope that there are many viewers of my execution and that they welcome me with cries of hatred. Gilbert: For all to be accomplished, for me to feel less lonely, all that remained to hope was that on the day of my execution there should be a huge crowd of spectators and that they should greet me with howls of execration. Ward: For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries