The Stranger Journal #5

Camus made his book into two parts in order to show the change in Mersault's difference in perspective on life. In the beginning of the first part of the book, when he was not interested in something, or felt that anything he was doing was unnecessary, he would satisfy his immediate wants by ending whatever he was not interested in. When the funeral director was speaking to him, Mersault decided to tune him out because he no longer wished to listen, whether this be because he didn't care or he could not handle the emotional stress of the situation. "The director spoke to me again. But I wasn't really listening anymore." (Camus, 5) In the second part of the book, it is clear that Mersault has matured in the sense that even if he wants to end something that wasn't pleasant for him, instead of ignoring it and forgetting about it, he sticks with and completes his task or even his thoughts. During Mersault's visit with Marie, he was eager to leave, but makes a mature decision to stay. "I was feeling a little sick and I'd have like to leave. The noise was getting painful. But on the other hand, I wanted to make the most of Marie's being there." (Camus, 75) This also shows how Mersault starts to use emotion when making decisions, as opposed to only logic. The reason that the book is split into two parts is to highlight the difference in Mersault's personality and view of life.