This book still remains a mystery to me but I will do my best to try to get a hold on it.
What would Meursault say about communication? Is it important?
Because Meursault finds worth only in things of the present life, value is found in things that make his life on Earth more enjoyable. Communication makes life better and I do not think that Meursault would argue with that. However, his communication is very different than the norm.
His communication is honest and simple. His communication is not over-indulgent or timid. I think that it is very possible to over-communicate - not meaningless over-communicating, but communicating to make something profound. You should never have to MAKE something profound; you should only have to DISCOVER that.
Meursault knew that he wanted to be with Marie, he knew that she mattered to him, but he could not say he loved her because he didn't really know that to be true. I definitely agree with this, but I think there is a danger in trying to teach people this lesson instead of allowing them to learn it themselves. I fear that if one is so concerned about over-analyzing or looking too deeply into something, they may become too scared to find something that is truly good. Marie was good. Would it have been wrong of Meursault love her?
I go back and forth about whether or not Meursault has...regret (although I'm not sure if that is the right word) about the way things were with Marie. If he did, I think it may have been regarding their communication - not just verbal but physical and emotional. He truly liked Marie, yet I do not feel like they really ever communicated. I can't help but feel that he SHOULD have spent more time with her - whether it be listening to her (if he had nothing to say) or even just being affectionate with the woman that he enjoyed.
I guess what I'm getting at...is that even though nothing really matters in the grand scheme of things (because there is no grand scheme) and even though his death is only a death, he should have communicated more. I know this doesn't sound revolutionary, but if Meursault only believes life and thinks the sky is beautiful then should communication have been a priority since communication is such a beautiful part of life?
It's odd to think, but it seems Meursault's greatest communication is through non-action--unable to stop the guillotine's precision, Meursault, in person, will "connect" with whomever watches through spectacle if not through pity. No wonder he hopes for a large audience.
Perhaps one of Meusault's "dilemmas" in terms of communication is that how does one communicate what only one can know and no one else know? In other words, in the line of existentialist thought, the only person who knows your life is yourself. Perhaps M. views anything outside of this (i.e. presuming to understand another's situation) as something less than truthful.
This book still remains a mystery to me but I will do my best to try to get a hold on it.
ReplyDeleteWhat would Meursault say about communication?
Is it important?
Because Meursault finds worth only in things of the present life, value is found in things that make his life on Earth more enjoyable. Communication makes life better and I do not think that Meursault would argue with that. However, his communication is very different than the norm.
His communication is honest and simple. His communication is not over-indulgent or timid.
I think that it is very possible to over-communicate - not meaningless over-communicating, but communicating to make something profound. You should never have to MAKE something profound; you should only have to DISCOVER that.
Meursault knew that he wanted to be with Marie, he knew that she mattered to him, but he could not say he loved her because he didn't really know that to be true. I definitely agree with this, but I think there is a danger in trying to teach people this lesson instead of allowing them to learn it themselves. I fear that if one is so concerned about over-analyzing or looking too deeply into something, they may become too scared to find something that is truly good. Marie was good. Would it have been wrong of Meursault love her?
I go back and forth about whether or not Meursault has...regret (although I'm not sure if that is the right word) about the way things were with Marie. If he did, I think it may have been regarding their communication - not just verbal but physical and emotional. He truly liked Marie, yet I do not feel like they really ever communicated. I can't help but feel that he SHOULD have spent more time with her - whether it be listening to her (if he had nothing to say) or even just being affectionate with the woman that he enjoyed.
I guess what I'm getting at...is that even though nothing really matters in the grand scheme of things (because there is no grand scheme) and even though his death is only a death, he should have communicated more. I know this doesn't sound revolutionary, but if Meursault only believes life and thinks the sky is beautiful then should communication have been a priority since communication is such a beautiful part of life?
It's odd to think, but it seems Meursault's greatest communication is through non-action--unable to stop the guillotine's precision, Meursault, in person, will "connect" with whomever watches through spectacle if not through pity. No wonder he hopes for a large audience.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one of Meusault's "dilemmas" in terms of communication is that how does one communicate what only one can know and no one else know? In other words, in the line of existentialist thought, the only person who knows your life is yourself. Perhaps M. views anything outside of this (i.e. presuming to understand another's situation) as something less than truthful.