The Stranger Sadness Quotes Page 2
Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph). We used Matthew Ward's translation, published by Vintage International published in 1989.
| Quote #4 The residents usually weren’t allowed to attend funerals. He only let them keep the vigil. "It’s more human that way," he remarked. (1.1.21) |
The sadness of others is such an overpowering feeling that the caretaker has to take measures to control it. This, of course, contrasts to Meursault’s lack of emotion.
| Quote #5 I told her Maman had died. She wanted to know how long ago, so I said, "Yesterday." She gave a little start but didn’t say anything. I felt like telling her it wasn’t my fault, but I stopped myself because I remembered that I’d already said that to my boss. It didn’t mean anything. Besides, you always feel a little guilty. (1.2.2) |
Rather than feeling sadness over his mother’s death, Meursault feels guilt. In the beginning of the novel, Meursault possesses some semblance of a societal conscience.
| Quote #6 It occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over that Maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed. (1.2.11) |
Meursault almost defends his not feeling sadness; if nothing has changed, why would you grieve at all?
