Journal 16

1. Why does Camus use a motif of Sundays and Saturdays when describing events essential to the story?
2. Why does Camus use a repetition of the numbers 2 and 4 when describing quantity of physical objects?
3. Why does Camus use strong imagery when describing the beach, but nowhere else in the book?
4. What is the purpose of Camus using long sentences to describe physical aspects of the world around Mersault, and short sentences to describe people and conversations?
5. Is Camus using Salmano and his Dog to represent morality, or a lack of it?

Answers:

• (Q#1 Tate) Camus uses short, precise sentences to highlight Mersault's linear, but broken thought process in reference to traumatizing events (the death of Maman in the beginning).
• (Q#1 Hannah) Camus uses the sun to represent a pressured feeling, whereas, the more intense the qualities of the sun, the more pressure Mersault feels.
• (Q#4 Matt) I believe Camus uses the everyday routine in the book to simply highlight the parts (Saturdays and Sundays) that are not part of the everyday schedule.  I believe this is linked with the reason he describes the beach in such great detail.  Almost saying that the day-to-day is something that needs to be escaped.
• (Q#1 Tanner) Camus uses the environment to develop character's emotion to show that emotion is a unique concept. While it is a common thing in all humans, it is what one makes it. The environment around someone often can shape their emotions, especially if the person gives no effort to control it themselves.
• (Q#2 Shannon) Camus uses the dog to represent morality, and the development of the lack of it throughout the book, eventually leading to the end of morality (when the dog runs away).  The negative actions upon the dog mirror the negative (by societal standards) actions taken by Mersault.