Raymond and Meursault


I think one of the most interesting relationships in The Stranger is that between Raymond and Meursault. Right from when they meet, their dynamic is interesting, with Raymond basically just asking Meursault to help him write a letter to his mistress so that she is tricked into coming back to Raymond and he can take his revenge on her. Raymond serves as a really good foil for Meursault. At the beginning of The Stranger, one might think Meursault is cold and heartless for smoking and drinking coffee at the vigil for his mother. It’s even worse that Meursault then goes to the beach, meets a woman, takes her on a date, then has sex with her within days of finding out about his mother’s death. When the character of Raymond is introduced, this complicates things. While Meursault’s actions are definitely insensitive, they aren’t inherently wrong. It’s just that it’s kind of weird for someone to be so nonchalant about their mother’s death. The same can’t be said about Raymond. It’s clear that Raymond is just an awful person right from the beginning. Raymond is a pimp who beats his mistress and plans to get her back, so he can have sex with her and spit in her face when he’s about to finish. The contrast between Meursault and Raymond puts Meursault’s actions prior to this in perspective. Meursault didn't do anything that hurt anyone. All he did was pursue his own personal pleasure at the expense of no one. Raymond on the other hand does nothing but hurt other people to further his own personal interest. Raymond is an example of someone who chooses to go against what society accepts as ethical while Meursault is merely someone who just lacks morals. One clear example of this is looking at their different sexual exploits. When Raymond wants to have sex with his mistress, it’s for the purpose of revenge and humiliating her. While it gives him pleasure, it’s at the expense of someone else. When Meursault has sex with Marie after the day at the beach, it’s for his own pleasure and it’s at no one’s expense.

Comments

  1. Smita NairNovember 2, 2018 at 6:52 AM

    Last line is a great point. While we are all so concerned over our pasts and futures and lives in the contexts of others', Meursault does what he wants for his own sake only and his life is fine for it. Raymond convinces him to act for the sake of others and help him spite his mistress, and once Meursault does so he opens himself to taking the repercussions for others' desires.

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