Stranger Essays - Absurdist Fiction, The Stranger, Meursault

Stranger The way a person reacts to ordinary situations determines the opinions of others based on their behavior. Yet, when this behavior is abnormal or different from the rest of society, it causes society to form an opinion based totally on a person's behavior not their true personality. In Meursault's case, his strange opinions and unexpected remarks put him in this position, without ever really giving him an opportunity to be truly understood. However, Meursault cannot change his actions and behaviors from the past, therefore making him responsible in the society he freely chooses to live in. Meursault's complete indifference to society and human relationships causes him to appear as the actual "stranger" with those he encounters, which eventually leads to his incarceration and inevitable date with the guillotine. Meursault is definitely a man who is set in his ways. He has his own opinions and outlooks on life and because of that fact he is constantly reminded of his inadequacies within society. His refusal to look at his mother one last time after she had passed away seemed pointless to Meursault at the time, where as the funeral director viewed this as extremely odd: "We put the cover on, but I'm supposed to unscrew the casket so you can see her." He was moving toward the casket when I stopped him. He said, "You don't want to?" I answered, "No." He was quiet, and then I was embarrassed because I felt I shouldn't have said that. He looked at me and then asked, "Why not?" but without criticizing, as if he just wanted to know. I said, "I don't know." (Camus 6) The difference of opinion between Meursault and all of society, but in this example the funeral director, brought about a feeling of inadequacy to Meursault and an appearance of him as a stranger to society. Alice J. Strange explains his situation perfectly by saying: Holding Meursault to his words, and recognizing the voids they reveal, the reader sees Meursault as the stranger.... (Strange 3) Throughout the novel, these encounters and/or relationships gradually set Meursault aside from society. His encounter with the Arab shows how the presence of other people in his life makes absolutely no impression on him. Taking the Arab's life was something he did as a natural reaction, he pulled the trigger thinking it was justified where as any normal human being would think other wise. Once on trial, Meursault constantly observed the people in the courtroom as if he had no idea of how the rest of society lived. Every thing he saw was new to him and it brought him a feeling of excitement, as if he was enjoying being on trial. Fear only came after his verdict. He didn't even consider his fate early on in the trial because he was in awe of the rest of society; their behaviors and actions were all new to him. In chapter three part two Meursault explained this by saying: Usually people didn't pay much attention to me. It took some doing on my part to understand that I was the cause of all the excitement. I said to the policeman, "Some crowd!" He told me it was because of the press and he pointed to a group of men at a table just below the jury box. He said, "That's them." (83-84) The only thing Meursault is worried about is the press, not the fact that his fate is about to be determined by a group of people that don't even know him. He doesn't even care about death at this point, only how he is excited to see all these new people and be able to watch the court proceedings. Before Meursault's incarceration, he lived a life of desire based on his own satisfaction. His life was completely self-centered and focused on his own physical pleasures. Meursault's obsession with his own desires can be explained by saying that: His contempt for man-made necessities', such as religion, morality, government, is supreme; but his attitude toward natural coercion, hunger, sex, the weather, etc., though less explicit, seems almost equally disdainful. Meursault is a non-participant (Carruth 8-9). He took absolutely no consideration of other's feelings and how his actions affected them. Meursault's love of smoking, eating, drinking, having sex, swimming and being outside, all of which are physical pleasures, are taken to extremes. Take away these and try to imagine what Meursault would be like. He would be practically lifeless because he wouldn't enjoy anything. He is never concerned with what is going on in

Which Science Fiction Essay Topics to Use

Which Science Fiction Essay Topics to UseThere are many Science Fiction Essay topics. Your topic should be the theme of your essay, rather than just an out-and-out description of a fictional location. The purpose of this essay is to examine how science fiction really is not represented in popular culture.Much of what we consider fantasy is really part of the wider genre of speculative fiction. Sci-fi and fantasy have a long history of their own. Inventing fictional worlds to tell the tale of our own may have its roots in the traditions of human history and science.Consider a famous author who wrote about time travel, aliens, aliens living in space, or space travel. She explored the many possibilities of the future. When you compare her writing to today's offerings on this topic, you'll see the important point.We can't compare the two without trying to imagine the emotional and intellectual framework of one century versus another or a different era. But the story remains the same. We have explored the past through the lens of science. And the next phase will look into the future with a fresh set of eyes.Once you've gained a historical perspective, what you're left with is speculative writing. What if this world really existed? What if we've already visited this planet, before we invented the atomic bomb? How would we survive here?These are the philosophical questions at the core of this genre. And many times you'll have to address them in a short essay. This is where a good science fiction essay topic will come in handy. The topic should inspire you and it should encourage you to explore your ideas with them.Sci-fi essays do well because they are broad enough to encompass a broad range of thought. So that your readers get a wide variety of ideas and then they pick the ones that they find most compelling.One of the best science fiction essay topics is that it is consistent in style. You can write a fairly traditional essay using the same material as your futurist ic one.

Free Essays on Shakespeare Sonnet 60

Time They say that the only certainty in this life is change. Each day brings new order to unorganized chaos. Whether we like it or not, life’s unending train ride carries us to undiscovered destinations. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60 seems, likewise, seems to take us on a little journey through time stressing the many different facets that exist as we go through this thing we call life. I seem to get a vision through his lines that they create a link one to another, much as our life moves on from one experience to the next. The opening line of this sonnet begins with, â€Å"Like the waves make towards the pebbled shoreâ€Å" This must be a comparison of our time here on earth, only it is representative as waves that crash upon the shore of the beach. When I think of a pebbled beach, I think of how hard it is to walk on, as compared to a smooth, sandy beach. Perhaps this could compare to how life experiences are. We would all like to ease through life much as you can walk barefoot across a smoothly sandy beach. Yet, I think we all know that it is inevitable that we will once in awhile have to walk across many cracks and faults along the way. I reflect to the times I’ve seen the ocean, I always know that I will see the waves coming in and out, it’s constant, never changing. This could be a direct metaphor for time. Time is the one thing we can never change. We are always aware that when one wave crashes along the shore, yet another is just waiting to follow. Much like the waves crashing along the shore, â€Å"So do our minutes hasten to their end†. I think that is fairly self explanatory, our time here on earth continues to move forward, all the while, it seems to be gone in an instant. It’s interesting to me, when you’re young, it seems as though you will never be an adult. Yet, when you get to be an adult you’d almost give anything to be a kid again. Time seems to just race forward once you grow into maturity. The third li... Free Essays on Shakespeare Sonnet 60 Free Essays on Shakespeare Sonnet 60 Time They say that the only certainty in this life is change. Each day brings new order to unorganized chaos. Whether we like it or not, life’s unending train ride carries us to undiscovered destinations. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60 seems, likewise, seems to take us on a little journey through time stressing the many different facets that exist as we go through this thing we call life. I seem to get a vision through his lines that they create a link one to another, much as our life moves on from one experience to the next. The opening line of this sonnet begins with, â€Å"Like the waves make towards the pebbled shoreâ€Å" This must be a comparison of our time here on earth, only it is representative as waves that crash upon the shore of the beach. When I think of a pebbled beach, I think of how hard it is to walk on, as compared to a smooth, sandy beach. Perhaps this could compare to how life experiences are. We would all like to ease through life much as you can walk barefoot across a smoothly sandy beach. Yet, I think we all know that it is inevitable that we will once in awhile have to walk across many cracks and faults along the way. I reflect to the times I’ve seen the ocean, I always know that I will see the waves coming in and out, it’s constant, never changing. This could be a direct metaphor for time. Time is the one thing we can never change. We are always aware that when one wave crashes along the shore, yet another is just waiting to follow. Much like the waves crashing along the shore, â€Å"So do our minutes hasten to their end†. I think that is fairly self explanatory, our time here on earth continues to move forward, all the while, it seems to be gone in an instant. It’s interesting to me, when you’re young, it seems as though you will never be an adult. Yet, when you get to be an adult you’d almost give anything to be a kid again. Time seems to just race forward once you grow into maturity. The third li...

Berkshire Hathaway Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Berkshire Hathaway Company - Essay Example The company is now a holding company that holds many diverse subsidiaries. What is the company’s Mission Statement? What is the company’s Vision Statement? Who are the Primary Stakeholders of the company? Primary stakeholders are those who have a direct interest or stake in the organization. The stakeholders of almost all the companies are same. Stakeholders can affect or be affected by the actions of a business. The primary stakeholders of Berkshire Hathaway include the owner of the company, the employees, its customers, suppliers, its creditors, the trade unions, its stockholders and the government. The employees of Berkshire have a great stake in the organization because they are directly linked to the company’s performance (BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, INC 2010) Similarly the stockholders share the same stake in the business of Berkshire Hathaway. What are the five forces of Competition and how they impact on the company? The five forces of competition present in the environment and that affect the competition include the competitors of a firm, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of the customers, new entrants and the substitutes available. Competitors of a firm result in rivalry. ... Berkshire Hathaway has very good relations with its suppliers. Plus the company owns so many subsidiaries that it has a large numbers of suppliers, thus resulting in a low bargaining power of the suppliers. Looking at the customers as a force, they have a high bargaining power as opposed to the suppliers. Berkshire Hathaway honors its customers in every possible way. Then comes the threat of the substitutes. Berkshire has a very diverse range of business activities and it offers so many products to so many different markets. There is a threat of substitutes but Berkshire Hathaway has a very strong financial and capital position that whenever there is an alternative investment available in the market, it does not hesitate in acquiring that alternative. Berkshire faces competition but the competition is not very huge because the number of firms present in the holding industry is not very large. There are only few holding firms that equal the size of Berkshire Hathaway. So the competiti on is low as compared to other industries. All the forces of competition lead to rivalry, but in the case of Berkshire these forces are not that intense and thus do not result in huge rivalry. SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is a tool that is used to look into the strengths and weaknesses of the company. It helps to determine the opportunities and threats posed by the external environment. Basically the analysis sets a direction for the organization as to how it should use its strengths to minimize the threats posed by the external environment and also to make use of the opportunities in order to overcome its weaknesses. Though Berkshire Hathaway is well established holding company but still it is not possible that it won’t have any weaknesses or

Marijuana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marijuana - Essay Example Now, with better research and newly developed technology, scientists have found that all natural supplements are healthier for treatment of certain illnesses. Medicinal application marijuana, for instance, has many benefits and some doctors prescribe marijuana to patients with diseases ranging from Alzheimer to HIV, to help with treatments. The common people could also use it to control their stress or become less depressed, which makes life a lot simpler and easier to handle when time gets rough. Even though marijuana portrays many medicinal benefits, it should not only be used for medical purposes but should also be regulated like alcohol (which is toxic) and tobacco, whose consumption is in some cases worse than using marijuana. There are currently big debates going on in Congress and all over the world, on whether to legalize marijuana or not. This occurs at a time when most of the Americans have at least tried marijuana, or are using it to help them overcome stress. The drug is also an ‘all-natural’ plant that can be grown anywhere in the world; it has a high demand, and its supply is high. Drug lords and its growers however started adding chemicals that cause users to become addicted to their product and after a while of use, the consumers start using stronger drugs. That is why marijuana is called a gateway drug. If the bill in Congress passes for marijuana, the Food and Drug Administration will supervise the product. It will be offered, for everyone to buy, at the pharmacy. Gangs and drug dealers will not sell it on the streets, due to the vast drop in prices from the legalization of marijuana, and its consequential easy access to the public. Right now, if there were no marijuana in the streets, people would have no other choice but to use worse drugs, like cocaine, or crystal meth; those types of drugs that can affect a person’s health physically, mentally, and they become desperate to obtain these drugs at any necessary means. In S audi Arabia for instance, the people do not accept drugs socially or religiously. However, I feel that if the government looked into the positive effects of marijuana, there would be a change in the view of marijuana among the citizens of Saudi Arabia. If everyone smoked a little of it every day, the euphoria feeling would overcome all other emotions and there would be fewer problems, and less crimes. People will become more relaxed, and better able to communicate with each other respectfully. It would also develop an environment where people love each other; everyone would have less stress, and become mellower and the world would become a more peaceful place. More research should however be done to test the pros and cons of marijuana, then the government should weigh out the results. As a democracy, the United States of America should allow its people to vote on whether to legalize it or not. In my opinion, I believe that whether Congress will legalize it or not, it will take the n ext five years for them to reach a final decision. I however do not think it is necessary to prolong the debate on whether to legalize it or not. This issue should be resolved soon because it could change people’s lives in the United States, even people who have never tried this drug. In conclusion, marijuana is a useful and helpful drug that Americans need in their lives. It has both medicinal and social value that promises benefits to the society. Its

Construction Technology and Innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Construction Technology and Innovation - Essay Example More of this advancement has been geared too towards the conservation of the environment (FLICHY 2007, pg19). There are various building forms in the UK which are mostly dependent on their respective uses. The various designs of the building forms are done taking into account their occupancy and the use to which they are subjected (FLICHY 2007, pg37). Such forms include; residential buildings mostly permanent houses and/or low-rise buildings constructed with a view to provide housing; Institutional buildings constructed for various institutional purposes (these could include larger engineering buildings, high rise buildings); and Industrial buildings and commercial buildings. The building construction methods should conform to the various standard and codes provided for their regulation. This should undergo careful planning so as to avoid possible wastes and to ensure that they are secure and safe. In addition, the materials used for construction should be carefully evaluated to avoid constructing bulky houses with poor architectural outlooks (AKINTOYE, GOULDING & ZAWDIE 2012, pg36). Most of these materials should be considered to relation to their costs, structural soundness and their availability. As a general rule in most civil and building constructions, the availability of materials would to a large extent dictate the construction materials to be utilized for the constructions. In the UK, the various construction methods available have been utilized with a view of reducing the time for construction and costs. In addition, the construction methods help in improving the quality of buildings produced i.e. relating to the types of finishes required. The in situ construction of buildings has been used for decades and provided the most conventional building procedures (AKINTOYE, GOULDING & ZAWDIE 2012, pg56). Construction is done on

An Exploration of How to Prevent the Effects and Causes of Air Pollution :: essays research papers fc

An Exploration of How to Prevent the Effects and Causes of Air Pollution Air pollution has not always been an area of individual problem but has always been a big major of global problem. In fact, air pollution is not a new issue to us. When I was in high school, I was already interested in doing research about air pollution. I began my search of my issue with the following questions in mind. What causes pollution? What are its effects? What can we do to prevent it, and get rid of it? Can we stop this nightmare altogether? Is it fair to our children of the future to have to suffer the consequences that pollution causes? Why are we not taking care of the problem now? Must factory and business owners have the ability to prevent air pollution? Dr. Laurent Hodges explains some of these issues in her book Environmental Pollution Second Edition. The following summary is from Dr Hodges’ research on the causes of air pollutions. Air pollutions are caused by a number of different types of pollutants. The first type, particulate matter, consists of solid and liquid aerosols suspended in the atmosphere. These arise from the burning of coal and from industrial processes. Atmospheric particles can scatter and absorb sunlight which reduces visibility. The second type is sulfur oxides which come from the burning of coal and industrial processes. Damage to materials, to vegetation, and to the human respiratory system is caused by the acid nature of oxides. Small quantities of sulfur oxides can increase illness and mortality. The third type of pollutant is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas against which humans have no protection. Carbon monoxide comes from the exhaust of gasoline-powered veh icles and secondarily from industrial processes. Hemoglobin, which is in the blood, combines with carbon monoxide and carries less oxygen to body tissues causing health and heart effects. Some health problems come from the exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the automobile. The fourth type is hydrocarbons which are chemical compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons also arise from gasoline-powered vehicles and from industrial processes. Hydrocarbons are an important part of the production of photochemical smog. The last type is nitrogen oxides that come from high-temperature combustion, such as that occurring in motor vehicle engines, electric power plants and other fuel usage. Nitrogen oxide contributes to acidity in precipitation and production of photochemical smog.