The Stranger Passivity Quotes Page 5
Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph). We used Matthew Ward's translation, published by Vintage International published in 1989.
| Quote #13 Since we’re all going to die, it’s obvious that when and how don’t matter. Therefore […] I had to accept the rejection of my appeal. (2.5.8) |
Meursault has logically come to the conclusion that he must passively accept his death sentence.
| Quote #14 Then, I don’t know why, but something inside me snapped. I started yelling at the top of my lungs, and I insulted him and told him not to waste his prayers on me. I grabbed him by the collar of his cassock. I was pouring out on him everything that was in my heart. […] He seemed so certain about everything, didn’t he? And yet none of his certainties was worth one hair of a woman’s head. He wasn’t even sure he was alive, because he was living like a dead man. […] But I was sure about me, about everything, surer than he could ever be, sure of my life and sure of the death I had waiting for me. Yes, that was all I had. But at least I had as much of a hold on it as it had on me. (2.5.25) |
This is the most active we’ve seen so far, and a big part of his revelation. By bringing in emotions of "anger" and "joy," by "yelling," Meursault breaks away from his old, passive self.
| Quote #15 As if that blind rage has washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, I that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much life myself – so like a brother, really – I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. 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 of hate. (2.5.26) |
Here’s the big switch. Meursault no longer passively accepts his death, but actively goes towards it. He is no longer passively content, but actively happy.
