Masterclass Camus ANGLAIS

• Cultuurwetenschappen
• WO
• Studiejaar 1

Masterclass Camus

Selma Zimen

Kévin Fraisse 

Merel van Eijk

Level 1

The death of the mother

What do you find the most weird/surprising concerning the attitude of Meursault?

Jean-Paul Sartre (1947)

"And those of us who, when we open the book, are not yet familiar with the sense of the absurd, would be vain to try to understand judge him [Meursault] by our 

usual standards: for us too he is a stranger. 

So the shock you felt when you opened 

the book [...] was deliberate: it was the result 

of your first encounter with the absurd".

Absurdism in the first chaptre

« Absurd = human condition in which we search for 
meaning in life, but face a meaningless world » 

- Indifference

   Not as upset about his mother's death

- Insignificant details

   Absence of grief, whilst describing the material world 

- Chain of events => rhythm

   Actions of the same value that appear to be following each other

Level 2

The murder of the Arabe

What is Meursault's motive for killing the Arab?

“The presiding judge cleared his throat and in a very low voice asked me if I had anything to add. I stood up, and since I did wish to speak, I said, almost at random, in fact, that I never intended to kill the Arab. The judge replied by saying that at least that was an assertion, that until then he hadn't quite grasped the nature of my defense, and that before hearing from my lawyer he would be happy to have me state precisely the motives for my act. Fumbling a little with my words and realizing how ridiculous I sounded, I blurted out that it was because of the sun. People laughed. My lawyer threw up his hands, and immediately after that he was given the floor. But he stated that it was late and that he would need several hours. He requested that the trial be reconvened in the afternoon. The court granted his motion. 

Level 3

The trial 

and the end of the book

Why is Meursault condemned?

The lawyer: « Come now, is my client on trial for burying his mother

or for killing a man? »

The prosecutor: « Indeed, he loudly

exclaimed, I accuse this man of burying his mother with crime in his heart! » 

Moment:

1. Morning
2. Noon
3. Afternoon
4. Evening
5. Night
6. A holiday

Situation:

1.  At school
2. Eating
3. Shopping
4. Out with friends
5. In front of the TV
6. Cooking

Absurd word:

1. Sunglasses
2. A camera
3. A guitar
4. A pot of paint
5. A passport
6. A bouquet of flowers