- Boredom. Meursault gets bored at his own trial. Is Meursault's boredom a sign of his emotional detachment or a description of what it's like to be on trial?
- The speeches of the prosecutor and the defense - how much of a difference is there between them? What are they each asking for?
- Silence. Meursault is told to keep silent. Why? If you were Meursault's lawyer, would you want him on the stand?
- The death penalty. Look closely at the prosecutor’s argument. How is he portraying Meursault? Why is he saying Meursault needs to be put to death?
- The lawyer's defense. What point is he trying to make about Meursault, and his soul? What do you think of the way he crafts his defense?
- Physical needs. What are the ways in which Meursault’s physical needs play a role in the trial? Think about sleep, sounds, images of Marie, the heat, and other details.
- The sentence. What type of sentence is Meursault and his lawyer expecting? Why?
- Remorse. Does Meursault feel it? What role does it play the scene?
- Meursault’s inner thoughts. What else is on his mind during this scene?
Once you're done with your initial conversation, I'm going to have you write a creative response. You will write a paragraph in the voice of your topic. So for example, you will write about "remorse" by starting this way: "I am remorse, and I feel..." I'll give more specific directions in class.
