The Stranger Summary

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Here you will find a The Stranger summary (Albert Camus's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

The Stranger Summary Overview

The story revolves around a young resident of Algiers, who embarks on a journey to Marengo following the news of his mother's passing. He converses with the director of the elderly home where his mother had been residing, only to discover her body already confined to the coffin. He spends the night beside her, joined by a chatty custodian who proves to be a bit of a nuisance. The following day, a funeral procession ensues, during which an elderly man named Thomas Perez, who had grown fond of his mother, faints from the heat. Upon his return to Algiers that night, the protagonist heads to the beach to swim, where he crosses paths with his old colleague, Marie Cardona. They subsequently decide to watch a comedy film and spend the night together. On the following workweek, he crosses paths with Salamano, an elderly man with a sickly dog who resides in the same building, and his neighbor Raymond Sintes, who is believed to be involved in illicit activities. Raymond invites him over for dinner and shares his intention of taking revenge on his unfaithful mistress, asking for the protagonist's help in writing a letter to trick her. Later, Marie visits and questions the protagonist about his feelings towards her, which she was met with indifference. In the midst of their conversation, they hear a commotion from Raymond's apartment, who had been confronted by the police due to his violent actions towards his mistress. The protagonist agrees to testify for Raymond's defense. The subsequent events see the protagonist embroiled in a murder case after he shoots his neighbor's girlfriend's brother without any clear reason. This lands him in jail, where his lawyer is taken aback by his evident lack of regret for his actions and his apparent apathy towards his mother's death. Over time, the protagonist adapts to his life in prison, managing to keep his mind occupied and sleeping most of the day. His trial unfolds in a courtroom filled with spectators and press members, who focus less on the murder and more on his character and his reaction to his mother's death. The protagonist is ultimately convicted and sentenced to death. As he awaits his execution, he struggles to come to terms with his fate. Despite a visit from a chaplain who urges him to turn to God, the protagonist vehemently rejects the notion and embraces the idea of life being void of any greater meaning. This acceptance brings him a sense of happiness.

part 1 chapter 1

The protagonist, Meursault, learns of his mother's passing via a telegram. She'd been residing at a senior citizen's home in Marengo, a bit away from Algiers. He asks for two days off from his job to go to the funeral, a request his boss reluctantly agrees to, making him feel almost guilty. He boards a two o'clock bus to Marengo and sleeps for most of the journey. On arrival, Meursault meets the head of the old age home who consoles him saying he shouldn't feel guilty for having put his mother there. He believes it was the best choice given Meursault's limited income. He informs Meursault about the religious ceremony planned for his mother, though Meursault knows she was never interested in religion. Post their conversation, the director shows Meursault the mortuary where his mother's coffin is kept. Alone with the sealed coffin, Meursault is offered by the caretaker to open it but he refuses. The caretaker then annoys Meursault by idly talking about his life and the shorter funerals in the countryside due to faster decomposition in the heat. However, Meursault finds this fact "interesting and [makes] sense." He spends the night in the mortuary, keeping watch over his mother's body. The caretaker hands him a cup of coffee; Meursault reciprocates by giving him a cigarette. He finds the mortuary atmosphere oddly comforting, eventually falling asleep. He's awakened by his mother’s friends from the home coming into the mortuary. One woman's weeping irritates him. Eventually, he and most of the friends drift off to sleep. On the funeral day, the director offers Meursault a final chance to see his mother before the coffin is finally sealed, which he declines. The director then talks about Thomas Perez, the only home resident attending the funeral, who was very close to Meursault's mother. Residents often joked he was her lover. The funeral procession slowly moves towards the village. When an undertaker's assistant queries about his mother's age, Meursault gives an evasive answer. The raging heat takes a toll on him during the long walk, and he notices Perez struggling to keep up. A nurse warns Meursault about the risk of sunstroke or catching a chill in the church. He agrees, thinking “There was no way out.” The funeral is mostly a blur for him except for Perez's tear-stained face and his fainting from the heat. On his return journey on the bus to Algiers, Meursault delights in the thought of a good night's sleep.

part 1 chapter 2

Meursault now understands why his employer was vexed about his two-day leave request. Since his mother's funeral was on a Friday, he effectively got four days off - the weekend included. At a public beach, he bumps into Marie Cardona, an old colleague. He assists her onto a float, admires her, and then joins her on it. They bask in each other's company, quietly observing the sky. After an afternoon of joyous swimming and flirting, Marie agrees to join Meursault for a movie. She's taken aback when she learns that Meursault's mother was laid to rest just the previous day, but she quickly dismisses it. Following the movie, Marie stays over at Meursault's place. Upon waking up, Meursault finds that Marie has left. He opts out of his usual Celeste's lunch to evade any potential inquiries about his mother. He stays in bed till noon and then spends the rest of the day on his balcony, eating, smoking, and people-watching. The day is beautiful. As the night draws closer, he prepares dinner. After eating, he reflects on the end of another Sunday. His mother has been laid to rest, and he has work the next day. He concludes that, in essence, nothing has really changed.

part 1 chapter 3

Meursault resumes his routine, going to work and having lunch at Celeste’s with Emmanuel, his colleague. His boss inquires about his mother's passing, but he avoids elaborating on the subject. Post-lunch, he indulges in a nap before returning to his afternoon shift. He encounters Salamano, his neighbor with a skin condition, on the stairway with his similarly diseased dog, whom he treats harshly during their daily walks. Another neighbor, Raymond Sintes, reputed to be involved in illegal activities but claiming to be a "warehouse guard", invites Meursault for dinner. During the meal, Raymond confides in Meursault about his relationship troubles. Raymond suspects his girlfriend of infidelity. After a violent confrontation, she left him, leading to a bout with her brother, an Arab. Yet, he still desires her, but intends to exact revenge by provoking her guilt through a letter, sleeping with her, and then disrespecting her. He solicits Meursault’s help to draft this letter, to which Meursault agrees without any reservations. Having gained Meursault's support, Raymond proudly declares them as "pals" - a sentiment Meursault doesn't mind. Upon returning to his room, he hears the gentle whimpering of Salamano's dog.

part 1 chapter 4

On a Saturday, Meursault and Marie enjoy a swim and are quickly drawn to each other, retreating to Meursault's apartment to make love. Marie stays over and even remains for lunch the next day. Meursault shares the tale of Salamano and his dog, which amuses Marie. She inquires if Meursault loves her, to which he responds that although it "doesn't mean anything, he doesn't think so." This leaves Marie looking despondent. The sound of a quarrel from Raymond's apartment reaches Marie and Meursault. The building's residents assemble and listen as Raymond physically abuses his mistress. A policeman intervenes. Raymond is slapped by the officer after the mistress accuses Raymond of beating her. The officer instructs Raymond to remain in his apartment and await police station summons. Raymond later seeks Meursault's help. He wishes Meursault to testify at the station that his mistress was unfaithful. Meursault consents. Upon returning from an evening out, they find Salamano frantically looking for his lost dog. Meursault suggests the possibility of the dog being at the pound and retrievable for a fee. This news infuriates Salamano, but later that night, Meursault hears him weeping in his room.

part 1 chapter 5

Meursault maintains that changing one's life isn't necessary as every life is equivalent, and he's content with his current circumstances. He, Marie, and Raymond are invited by Masson, Raymond's acquaintance, to his beach house for the following Sunday. Meursault receives a job offer from his employer to work in a new Paris branch, but his indifferent reply irks his boss, who expected more ambition. Meursault reflects on his past ambitions and realizes they don't hold any significance. Marie poses the question of marriage to Meursault, who responds that it wouldn't make much of a difference, echoing his general apathy. When she asks about his love for her, he admits he probably doesn't love her, yet this doesn't deter her decision to marry him. She informs him she won't be joining him for dinner, and his lack of curiosity makes her laugh. Meursault dines solo at Celeste's, where he spots a strange woman engrossed in ticking off radio programs from a magazine. He curiously follows her when she departs. Upon returning home, Meursault is greeted by Salamano waiting at his doorstep. Salamano reveals that he purchased his dog to cope with the loneliness following his wife's death and isn't keen on getting a new one. He sympathizes with Meursault over his mother's death, dismissing neighborhood gossip about Meursault's decision to send her to a home. Salamano believes Meursault must have cared deeply for his mother. He turns the conversation back to his dog, confessing that its absence has drastically altered his life.

part 1 chapter 6

Struggling to rise on a Sunday, Meursault is awakened by Marie. They collect Raymond from his room and set off for Masson’s beach house. Along the way, they spot a few Arabs, one of them being Raymond's mistress's brother, also known as "the Arab," giving them a hard stare. Raymond exhales a sigh of relief when they don't board the bus. Meursault observes the Arabs' unchanging gaze as they depart. A tiny wooden structure stands as Masson’s beach house. Meeting Masson’s wife, Meursault contemplates marital life with Marie. They swim merrily until lunch, after which the men take a stroll as the women deal with the dishes. Intense beach heat overwhelms Meursault. They spot two Arabs tailing them, one of them being "the Arab," which soon leads to a brawl. Despite their initial upper hand, Raymond gets slashed by the Arab’s knife before he and his companion retreat. Masson and Meursault assist the injured Raymond to the house, shocking Marie and causing Madame Masson to weep. Masson takes Raymond to a doctor while Meursault opts to smoke and gaze at the sea, instead of explaining the incident. Raymond, swathed in bandages, returns and heads for the beach, with Meursault following despite Raymond's reluctance. They find the Arabs near a spring. Raymond nervously toys with a gun, but Meursault persuades him not to shoot and even obtains the weapon from him. The Arabs disappear behind a rock, prompting Meursault and Raymond to retreat. Exhausted by the heat, Meursault accompanies Raymond back to the house but decides to stay on the hot beach rather than facing the women upstairs. He decides to return to the spring for a respite from the heat and his headache. He encounters "the Arab" there. Now armed with the gun, a standoff ensues. The sunlight reflecting off the Arab's drawn knife blinds Meursault, who reacts by firing once, then four more times, ending the Arab’s life.

part 2 chapter 1

Incarcerated for killing an Arab, Meursault is visited by his state-appointed young attorney. He shares with Meursault that his personal life has been investigated and it was revealed that he displayed a lack of emotion during his mother's funeral. The attorney questions if he grieved at his mother’s interment, to which Meursault replies that he doesn't frequently reflect on his feelings. He admits he probably did love his mother but it held no meaning for him. Disturbed by Meursault's dispassionate attitude towards his mother's demise, the lawyer leaves. Meursault comments, “I felt the urge to reassure [the lawyer] that I was . . . just like everybody else.” Later on, Meursault is brought before the examining magistrate. The magistrate queries if he loved his mother, and Meursault says he did as much as anyone else. The magistrate is intrigued as to why there was a pause between Meursault's first and subsequent four shots at the Arab. This detail is the only aspect of the crime that intrigues him. When Meursault doesn't respond, the magistrate brandishes a crucifix, questioning his belief in God. Meursault denies any faith. The magistrate proclaims his own life would be void of meaning without his faith and concludes Meursault's soul is irreparably hardened. Over the course of an eleven-month investigation, the magistrate begins to warmly refer to Meursault as “Monsieur Antichrist.”

part 2 chapter 2

Meursault narrates his initial experiences in jail, starting off in a common cell with various others before being moved to a solitary one. During a visit, Marie tries to encourage hope in him, expressing her belief in his innocence and their envisioned future of marriage and swimming. Yet, Meursault appears more captivated by a sorrowful inmate nearby. Post visit, he learns from a letter from Marie that she's been barred from visiting him further, due to their unmarried status. In his cell, Meursault yearns to swim, smoke, and engage in sexual activities. The prison routine eventually becomes bearable, with the exception of early evenings causing him distress. He passes time by sleeping excessively, recalling every aspect of his apartment and contemplating a tale from an aged newspaper snippet he discovers. The tale tells of a Czechoslovakian who left his hometown young and returned wealthy and disguised to surprise his mother and sister running a hotel. Tragically, they murdered him for his wealth before he could reveal his identity, leading to their suicide upon discovering their grave error.

part 2 chapter 3

Meursault enters a crowded courtroom for his trial during the following summer. The high attendance is due to the case's extensive media coverage during the otherwise news-sparse summer. Among the crowd is the woman Meursault remembers from Celeste’s who marked off radio programs. In response to the judge's inquiries, Meursault justifies placing his mother in a home due to lack of funds. He dismisses the notion of feeling tormented, explaining that they both adjusted to their new circumstances as they had no expectations of each other. The director of the home testifies about Madame Meursault's dissatisfaction and expresses surprise at Meursault's composed demeanor during the funeral. He recalls Meursault's refusal to see his mother's body and apparent lack of grief. The courtroom's animosity towards Meursault becomes evident to him when the director reveals Meursault's ignorance of his own mother's age. The caretaker reveals Meursault's smoking and coffee-drinking during the vigil. However, Meursault's lawyer points out the caretaker's hypocrisy as he too had smoked during the vigil and had initially offered the coffee. The prosecutor criticizes Meursault as a disloyal son for accepting the coffee. Thomas Perez is unable to confirm whether Meursault cried during the funeral due to his own grief. Celeste, testifying as a friend, attributes the Arab's killing to misfortune. Marie reveals their plans to wed, leading the prosecutor to focus on their sexual relationship starting the same weekend of the funeral and their visit to a comedy film. However, positive accounts of Meursault's integrity from Masson and his kindness towards Salamano's dog balance out the prosecutor's attacks. Raymond explains Meursault's accidental involvement in his dispute with his mistress's brother. The prosecutor retaliates with questions regarding Meursault's letter to Raymond’s mistress, his defense of Raymond at the police station, and his presence at the beach on the day of the crime.

part 2 chapter 4

The prosecutor concludes his argument by emphasizing Meursault's high intelligence and unrepentant attitude as proof of a planned killing. He uses the upcoming trial of a man who murdered his family member to highlight Meursault's indifference to his mother's death, suggesting it undermines societal morals. He asserts that Meursault, in a moral context, is equally culpable as the man who committed patricide. He requests the death penalty for Meursault, arguing that Meursault's deeds have indirectly facilitated the parricide and thus, he should bear the guilt for that crime too. Meursault refutes the claim that he went back to the beach to kill the Arab, and when asked for his motive, he impetuously responds it was "because of the sun." His attorney states that Meursault's decision to place his mother in a home was commendable, given his financial limitations. The lawyer then takes over the narrative, recounting the incident that led up to the crime as if he were Meursault himself, a tactic which further dissociates Meursault from the proceedings. As the lawyer's argument drags on, Meursault's thoughts drift away. Ultimately, Meursault is found guilty of intentional murder and sentenced to death by the guillotine.

part 2 chapter 5

Following his sentencing, Meursault's primary focus is on escaping the unforgiving "machinery of justice" that has sentenced him to death. The media represents his predicament as a "debt owed to society," but to Meursault, the only thing of consequence is the slim chance of freedom. He recalls an incident where his father witnessed an execution, an event that left the older man retching multiple times. Meursault now sees an execution as the only noteworthy event for a man, wishing he could be an observer rather than the one to be executed. He even dreams of a lethal concoction that would only work nine times out of ten, providing him a slim chance of survival. He resents how the guillotine makes the condemned hope for a swift, successful execution to avoid prolonged suffering. He refers to this as a forced "moral collaboration" with the process of execution. He further detests the ground-level installation of the guillotine, as it assassinates "with a little shame and with great precision." He rejoices each morning he's spared from hearing approaching footsteps, knowing these would indicate his imminent execution. He initially dismisses the idea of a legal appeal, expecting it to fail. Only after remembering that death is inevitable does he let himself contemplate a potential pardon and subsequent liberty. This thought brings him immense joy. Despite his wishes, a chaplain visits Meursault. When asked why Meursault has refused to see him, Meursault reaffirms his disbelief in God. The chaplain suggests that Meursault’s attitude is a result of “extreme despair,” to which Meursault replies that he's scared, not in despair. The chaplain insists that every condemned man he's met has eventually turned to God for solace. Meursault grows frustrated with the chaplain's insistence that he devote the rest of his life pondering over God. He has no time for God, he feels. Meursault's "heart is blind," the chaplain tells him. Meursault suddenly loses his temper, shouting that nothing matters and that the chaplain's beliefs aren't as definite as the chaplain believes them to be. The only certainty Meursault sees in life is death. He loses control and grabs the chaplain, until they are separated by the guards. This leads him to understand why his mother started her romance with Thomas Perez. She wanted to relive life amidst the fading lives around her. Mourning her would be, he believes, an insult to her. Meursault finally abandons all hope and opens himself to the "gentle indifference of the world." His only remaining wish is for a crowd of angry spectators at his execution, who will greet him “with cries of hate.”