Camus's
character Meursault in "" has a free will. Because of his free will he always has a
choice. His choice is what makes him free.
Before he became calm and realized
his free will, he fought against reality. It seemed like everything happened against him, but it
was really the way he looked at it, not what was actually happening. He expected things to
always go smoothly which is why he was so upset when they didn't run smoothly. It was his own
mind that caused the problem. Everyday reality has no inherent meaning, according to
Camus.
After Meursault's "sort of" enlightenment, he does not try
to explain his circumstances with theories or religion.He doesn't worry although he is aware of
his hunger or body temperature or medical condition.
On the other hand, the
magistrate is very upset. He is angry and tored. He believes in God and tries to find a way out
of his situation through his mind, his beliefs and rationalisations.
Meursault is Camus's existential man.
Existentialism is beyond
chance or agency, in that, his freedom or piece of mind is not predetermined by a God nor is it
predicted by fate. His life is blown around like a leaf as in chance however by facing that
truth, the truth of absurdity, he can be free. (It is his attitude that makes him free; his
ability to choose his own mindset.)
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