"Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is"

To do is to be.
To be is to do.

So do be do be do be do.

This month, Senior Book Club was delighted to welcome Mr. Stones as our Guest Speaker, who spoke with enthusiasm and insight on the works of Albert Camus. The focus of the evening was his seminal work ‘L’Etranger’ (‘The Outsider’), whose protagonist refuses to play by the accepted social rules. Ultimately, he is condemned, less for the casual murder of another human being, but more for his refusal to show emotion at the death of his Mother or guilt over his actions. This leads the reader to question our own expectations of social norms and human behaviour.

Mr. Stones introduced the group to the legend of Sisyphus, who was compelled to roll a huge rock up a steep hill, but before he could reach the top of the hill, the rock would always roll back down again, forcing him to begin again. Camus viewed this as a metaphor for the human condition and the myth inspired his philosophical tract ‘Le Mythe de Sisyphe’. The group discussed the narrator’s passive attitude towards his life, noting that the one pro-active action he undertakes is the murder of the nameless Arab. It was generally felt that although the work was clearly an observational commentary on the futility of the human condition, Camus’ intentions lie perhaps in inspiring the reader to make the most of their moments on earth. As Camus writes: He who despairs of the human condition is a coward, but he who has hope for it is a fool.

Indeed, Mr. Stones suggested to the group that the novel’s central theme was death, although on first reading this is a theme that does not immediately spring to mind. However, there is no doubt that the symmetry of the novel’s structure, which is centred around three deaths is geared towards exploring the way in which humanity reacts to death. Indeed, the conclusion of the novel suggests that the only truth lies in death; Meursault cannot see the need for lies and pretence, a factor which results in his condemnation. He cannot understand the court’s preoccupation with the fact that he shot the Arab a further four times: he was dead anyway. The court, however, feel a need to give a meaning and explanation to actions. This ties in to a key school of thought explored by the novel, the Theory of the Absurd, which explores mankind’s desire to search for meaning in a universe where it does not exist.

Senior Book Club thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to collaborate with the French Department and it was a pleasure to welcome some new faces to Book Club this month, along with some fresh insights. It was the ideal way to round off such a busy and productive term.