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Check out the Camus Quotes page on the wiki.
Which of these quotes helps us to better understand The Outsider?
You can use quotes in your writing to illustrate the composer’s aim (authorial purpose) and help flesh out your own interpretation.
Quotes are often a useful way to begin an essay or speech, you may want do this in your assessment task (speech)

What knowledge does the reader/viewer need to bring to this text in order to understand it?
Whose views are excluded or privileged in the text?
Who is allowed to speak?
Who is quoted?
Why is the text written the way it is?

Are there ‘gaps’ and ‘silences’ in the text?
Who is missing from the text?
What has been left out of the text?
What questions about itself does the text not raise?

In his jail cell, Meursault finds an old newspaper article about a Czechoslovakian man who is murdered by his mother and sister. How does this article relate to Meursault’s own trial for murder? How does this article expand the themes in The Outsider? (Make sure you are specific about what these themes are) How does it support Camus’s philosophy of the absurd? (Demonstrate your understanding of the philosophy of the absurd and how this episode in the text is related to it).
(Minimum 300 words)

This is a short film adaptation of The Outsider posted on YouTube.

What do you think about it?
Does it capture Camus’ mood and major themes expressed in the text?
Camus’ central idea was that everything happens purely by chance and that we cannot know the reasons why events occur. This is seen in the scene at the beach. There is no reason for Mersault’s action other than the heat of the sun…
How well does this film capture the absurdist viewpoint?
Is it possible to present Mersault’s journey in film or does the introspective nature of the first person narrative make this impossible? Give reasons.

Analyze the passages describing Meursault’s walk down the beach before he kills the Arab. How does Camus build tension in the passage? How is it different from the passages preceding it? Meursault says at his trial that he killed the Arab because of the sun. Is this explanation at all valid?
Minimum 500 words.

What are the structures and features of the text?
What sort of genre does the text belong to?
What does the imagery suggest?
What kind of language is used in the text?

What is this text about?
How do we know?
Who would be most likely to read this text and why?
Why are we reading this text?
What does the composer of the text want us to know?

1. Explain the meaning of the title as it relates to the plot of the novel.
2. Explain why Mersault, the protagonist, is an absurd anti-hero.
3. What is Mersault’s key antagonist?
4. Describe Marie. Why is she attracted to Mersault? What does this say about her? Why is Mersault attracted to Marie?
5. Describe Raymond. Why does Mersault, who is basically a loner, get involved with him?
6. Who is Salamano? Explain why you think Camus included him in the novel.
7. Explain how intense heat plays an important role in the plot.
8. Mersault is described as a “social monster.” Do you agree with this assessment – explain why.
9. Explain the absurd elements of Mersault’s trial and sentence.
10. Describe your reaction to the visit of the chaplain.
11. What gives Mersault a sense of peace and calm at the end of the book?

“The main theme of The Outsider is the absurdity of life.”
In your own words, explain what you think this means. Write two, well-structured paragraphs, using quotations from the text as evidence.
Paragraph Structure as follows –
1. Topic sentence – answer the question
2. Evidence
3. Explanation – explain
4. Concluding comment – link back to question/and next paragraph

A well-structured paragraph has 3 to 5 sentences. Use clear and concise langauge to express your response and check you have correct spelling and grammar.