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Awkqua Beach Encounter
The day after the funeral Meursault decides to go for a dip in the ocean. Whilst at the beach, he bumps into a former typist from his office named Marie Cardona. They flirted in a not so subtle way which accelerated their affectionate relationship. This day reveals how Meursault often acts on his physical need, rather than emotional. He had just lost his mother, yet he is well enough to pursue a purely sexual relationship (on his part). He also reveals his insensitivity towards other's feelings. -
A Second Beach Trip
Meursault and Marie are together once again at the beach, interacting both playfully and physically. Meursault notices Marie's figure and physical looks, rather than diving deeper into her personality and trying to bond with her. They have more sexual relations at the beach rather than talking. These interactions illustrate Meursault's unattached nature that revolves around satisfying physical desires. He seems to disregard Marie's emotions and characteristics, as he describes her physically. -
A Not So Pleasant Lunch Interruption
While Marie and Meursault were preparing their lunch, they were interrupted by screaming from Raymond's apartment. Meursault and Marie find Raymond beating his girlfriend. Marie finds this horrible and wants to call police; Meursault is not equally affected and does not want to call the police. Meursault reveals that he lacks a moral compass; he is unaffected by the beating and even maintains his appetite afterwards. He lacks normal reactions (such as Marie's) that an event would facilitate. -
Marie's Proposal
Marie asks Meursault if he wants to marry her; he is indifferent to getting married. His reaction reveals that he doesn't act on feelings; he only focuses on physical desires. Married or not married, nothing would change for Meursault. Even when talking about love, it's clear that Meursault has never experienced the emotion. His emotionless perspective on marriage also shows that he could care less about having a close bond to another person. He finds emotional companionship pointless. -
Marie Visits the Murderer
Marie goes to Meursault's prison and talks to him about her plans. She still believes that they would get married. Meursault only notices her physical features; he seems unchanged in his interpretation of people. However, he notices her smile; he also is unable to express how pretty she is to him. These inabilities show that Meursault still struggles with socializing and expressing his feelings (or the few that he has). -
Marie at Court
Marie becomes a witness to Meursault's character. Meursault still only notices her physical features and barely acknowledges her. He doesn't even look at her as he leaves. Meursault's actions reveal his selfishness and how he is inconsiderate to the feelings of others. Up to this point Meursault has been constantly leading Marie on and cares not for her emotions. This is probably because he doesn't empathize with the emotions of heartbreak, abandonment, etc. -
Meursault's Mention of Marie
Meursault is talking about his memories of life right before he's convicted to death. He mentions Marie, and though he does not mention any feelings for her, he talks about her dress (physical features) and the way she laughed. Meursault remains to perceive the world void of emotion. He doesn't talk about her happiness, just the way she laughed. Also, Marie is only a sentence in Meursault's memories. This reveals that she meant very little to him; he was not in love, not even near that emotion.