Questions and Answers
Who has Meursault refused a visit from three times?
the chaplain
What has the death sentence done to Meursault?
he is now ambitious and focused on figuring out how to get out
What does Meursault compare the verdict to?
the wall
What does Meursault think about his father?
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Why does Meursault object to the guillotine?
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What is Meursault waiting for? Why?
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Why can't Meursault handle this?
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What does Meursault think about Marie?
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What does the priest talk to Meursault about?
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What does Meursault call the priest?
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What does Meursault do to the priest?
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What does Meursault think about when he thinks of his mother?
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What does Meursault realize at the end?
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The guillotine reminds Meursault of what other type of device?
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How does Meursault spend his nights in his cell?
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What subject does Meursault wish he had read more about?
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What does Meursault do after he refuses to see the chaplain?
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Instead of a 'divine face,' what image does Meursault try to see on the wall of his prison cell?
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Does Meursault allow the chaplain to kiss him?
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What happens when the chaplain touches Meursault's shoulder?
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When the jailers rush into Meursault's cell, what do they do to him?
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What does Meursault do after the chaplain leaves?
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Study Notes
Key Characters and Concepts
- Meursault has repeatedly refused visits from the chaplain, who is a priest seeking to offer spiritual guidance.
- The death sentence profoundly impacts Meursault, sparking ambition and a desire to escape his fate.
- Meursault compares the verdict he received to a wall, symbolizing the inevitable and unyielding nature of his situation.
Meursault's Perspectives
- Reflects on a past experience where he observed an execution and vomited, yet vows to view every execution once free, indicating a complex relationship with mortality.
- He objects to the guillotine primarily because of its certainty, showing his disdain for predetermined outcomes in life.
Waiting and Realizations
- Dawn is a significant time for Meursault as it marks when prisoners are taken for execution, highlighting his emotional anticipation and anxiety.
- Struggling with the reality that his physical life is nearing its end, he experiences difficulty in coping.
Relationships and Emotions
- He thinks of Marie as essentially dead but confronts his indifference toward her, revealing his emotional detachment.
- The priest attempts to engage Meursault in discussions about the afterlife, but Meursault maintains that only this life is real.
Conflict and Reflection
- Meursault addresses the priest as "Monsieur," signifying his refusal to acknowledge familial connection.
- In a moment of frustration, he confronts the chaplain, expressing his belief that there is no inherent meaning to life.
Memories and Insights
- While reflecting on his mother, he questions her late-life choices, connecting back to themes of loss and memory.
- By the end, Meursault realizes he is not as isolated as he once thought, confronting the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Miscellaneous Observations
- The guillotine invokes thoughts of lab equipment for Meursault, merging ideas of life and death with scientific processes.
- He struggles to stay awake at night, anxiously awaiting dawn, which signifies his mental unrest.
- Meursault expresses regret for not having read more about public executions, indicating an intellectual curiosity about the macabre.
Personal Interactions and Consequences
- After declining to meet with the chaplain, he finds himself preoccupied with memories of Marie, yet struggles to visualize her face.
- He rejects the chaplain's attempts for physical contact, standing firmly against any emotional connections.
Aftermath and Sleep
- Following a volatile encounter with the chaplain, where he lashes out angrily after being touched, Meursault ultimately retreats into a deep sleep, suggesting a temporary escape from his existential crisis.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts and vocabulary from Part 2, Chapter 5 of 'The Stranger'. These flashcards cover important themes and definitions relevant to Meursault's character and experiences. Perfect for English 12 students looking to reinforce their understanding of the text.