The Stranger - Day 4

We started today with a song about the powerful moment at the end of Part 1 (don't worry, I didn't sing it). It is by The Cure, who read the book when they were college students and just getting started as a band back in 1980. The song is called "Killing An Arab." The lyrics are at the end of this post, and a video, including scenes from a film version of the book and the full song, is posted to the right.

Then you worked with a partner to consider questions about what I am calling Meursault's Moral Compass.

• When is Meursault acting as the subject / making active choices?
• When is Meursault the object / doing what others tell him to do?
• What are his reasons for acting this way?

I asked you to identify examples from chapters 3-6 (one from each) and we'll use those as the basis for our discussion.

“Killing an Arab”

- The Cure (R. Smith)

Standing on the beach
With a gun in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring down the barrel
At the Arab on the ground
See his open mouth
But I hear no sound

I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm a stranger
Killing an Arab

I can turn
And walk away
Or I can fire the gun
Staring at the sky
Staring at the sun
Whichever I choose
It amounts to the same
Absolutely nothing

I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm a stranger
Killing an Arab

I feel the silver jump
Smooth in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring at myself
Reflected in the eyes
Of the dead man on the beach
The dead man on the beach

I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an Arab

(Oh Meursault)