-
First Encounter at the Beach
Meursault goes on a date with Marie on the beach, but he heavily describes Marie's physical attributes and not her emotions or her feelings. For example, he "brushe[s] up against her breasts" and talks about her body and hair. This reveals Meursault's lack of connectivity to others and his lack of real emotional involvement in relationships. After all, this is the day after his mother died and he is just having fun at the beach and doesn't seem upset about her passing at all. -
Movie Date
After a day at the beach, Meursault takes Marie on a date to see a funny movie even though his mother died the day before. He states that during the movie he fondles Marie's breasts and afterwards brings her home with him. This reveals that Meursault wasn't affected much by his mother's death showing the lack of emotional connection Meursault has with people. It also reveals that he sees women as an object and does not give her the respect she deserves exposing how shallow he must be. -
Call the Cops?
In the section, Meursault is asked to call the cops and he says that he does not want to because he "doesn't like them," but Marie thinks that calling the police is a good idea. This reveals how he has low morals and doesn't see the problem with having a woman beat. Hearing that he does not care to involve the police is especially concerning after he did not show remorse for the death of his mother. With Meursault showing indifference about good and bad it reveals that he lacks a moral compass. -
Second date, first "Do You Love me?"
This is the 3rd encounter with Marie. During this time Meursault & Marie go the the beach again. Within the second sentence of describing what happened Meursault says that he "wanted her so bad". Later that day Marie asks him if he loves her, he replies that it doesn't matter, but he does not. This is the final straw that helps to exemplify how he only likes Marie for her physical presence, for her body. Meursault does not feel any emotional connection to Marie, he just likes her for sex. -
Marie Asks About Marriage
Marie brings up the topic of marriage and Meursault responds that "it didn't make any difference to [him] and that [they] could if she wanted to." This reveals Meursault's indifference to commitment and pessimism about his future. Meursault realizes that everything will end in death, which is why he does not appear to form relationships that he knows will eventually come to a harsh end. By giving such an insensitive answer, Meursault's passiveness towards the relationship is expanded. -
Merusault's first visit with Marie in jail
During this event instead of enjoying the fact that he gets to talk with Marie, Meursault states "I wanted to squeeze her shoulders through her dress. I wanted to feel the thin material and I didn't really know what else I had to hope for other than that". Meursault doesn't really want to take to her, he'd rather just look, & the entire time he is listening to others conversations over theirs. This reveals his lack of emotional connection with Marie but rather physical temptations which he has. -
Marie Enters the Trial
Marie was brought up to question at the trial and she stated the Meursault and her went on their first date the day after his mother died. The jury was surprised, but he defended himself by stating that he didn't want to dwell on his mothers death and he appreciated Marie's misgivings which reveals a change in Meursault. Appreciation is an emotion we haven't really seen from Meursault yet revealing that he could be reflecting on his past and realizing things he was taking for granted.