Journal #3

I think Camus divided the novel into two parts to show a change in Meursault, especially after a dramatic event. This was similar in the way the novel opened up with his mother's death, an event that would have had a strong impact on most people. The event in part one did not have that strong of an impact on him and he even says, "It occurred to me [...] that Maman was buried now, [...] and that, really, nothing had changed" (24). He was not very concerned and was apathetic to the events in his life. However, he seemed to be very observant of his surroundings as seen when he observes the community from his balcony. In part two, he is still observant to his surroundings, but is forced to think about what he truly thinks and feels. He is constantly interrogated and forced to answer the questions that were never asked to him before. He seemed to admit that he did not feel much grief when his mother died and when asked if he was sorry for what he had done, he answered with, "more than sorry I felt kind of annoyed" (70). While still an apathetic tone is felt, he is thinking about his thinking and feelings, something not seen in part one.
In part two, many of the same ideas are still present. Light, sun, and heat are still placed on him and overwhelming him. In jail, sleep becomes most of his activity, taking up "sixteen to eighteen hours a day" (79). Both parts also have the idea of guilt, or the lack of guilt. In part one, Meursault felt guilty for something that wasn't necessarily his fault. His mother's death caused him guilt with him having to miss work and asking his boss for days off. He is inclined to say "It's not my fault" constantly to justify his actions. Also, he received guilt from having to place his mother in the old people's home, something that he could not help but do. However, in part two, he doesn't show guilt for something that actually was his fault. The murder was because of his actions and he doesn't show guilt for something he caused.