Albert Camus' "The Stranger" was interesting. The different sentence structure, indicating a man of simple education, made the book easy to read. However the concepts and ideas presented in the text were those that cannot be taken lightly.
The absurdity that reoccurs throughout the book brings to light, my opinion of, Camus' meaning. Traditional Christian values are not always substantial enough for the modern man. The main character Meursault is not punished severely for his true crime but for his lack of emotions. As the modern man Meursault found nothing to believe in, his actions are based purely on his senses. He will do whatever gives him physical pleasure.
The absurdity of Meursault's trial and of Meursault himself shows Camus' belief that the modern man has become more detached from himself and his emotions. The examining magistrate is also absurd in his idea that if Meursault does not believe in God his belief in God is invalid. There is no reason for another's belief to affect your beliefs. This absurdity shows Camus' disillusionment with religious fanatics.
"The Stranger" raises interesting questions about the absurdity of people's ideas and of life itself. Why do religious fanatics act the way they do? Why would someone develop into an apathetic, purely sensual person, when they had a seemingly normal life? Meursault may be a phenomenon or the first in a newly emerging class of apathetic people.