The Stranger - Journal #4: Six Insightful Questions

Questions: Prior to "Part Two"

1. Why does Mersault note every time Marie laughs? Is there something about her character that needs to be supported by her laughter?
2. Why is Mersault's age never mentioned? Mersault refers to Salamano as an old man, but Raymond calls Mersault an old man, as well.
3. Why is color used most often to describe places and people rather than the actions that take place?
4. Why does Mersault put emphasis on what he wants to do rather than what he needs to do?
5. Why does Mersault always describe a situation with the direct reasoning? He uses "because", "told", and "explained" frequently when describing what a person did.
6. Why does Raymond seem like he is the "know-it-all" and "toughest" person? He attempts to fight the Arabs for his own benefit; he also makes a comment to Salamano about dogs, making it seem like he knows/wants to know more about the topic than Salamano.
7. Why does Mersault rethink his opinions, then forget about the first impressions? (ex. "I had the impression that Raymond knew where he was going, but I was probably wrong." (55)
8. Why does Camus change his syntax when the atmosphere changes? The usual short sentences with little imagery become complex and have vivid visual imagery, usually describing Mersault's views. Semicolons are used in the last paragraph of chapter six, instead of periods as Camus usually uses.