Today, we discussed Part 2, chapter 2. Marie's visit to the prison and how Meursault is adjusting to prison life.
Tomorrow, during class you will be writing a paragraph on the novel. Be sure to bring your novel, with all the key quotations marked by a post-it note.
Criteria:
Insight: Demonstrate your understanding of the novel, absurdism, and the ending. Be sure to be able to explain key events such as shooting an extra four times at a lifeless body, examples of justifying one's actions, absurdism, sun motif, the indifferent universe, etc.
Literary Must-Haves: how to cite, how to integrate quotes, strong verbs, sentence variety, formal, accurate diction
Structure: THESIS, UNDERLINED NOVEL TITLE, AUTHOR, FIRST POINT, FIRST EXAMPLE, FIRST EXPLANATION OF HOW THE EXAMPLE PROVES YOUR THESIS, TRANSITIONAL WORD OR PHRASE, REPEAT WITH THE SECOND POINT, TRANS. REPEAT WITH THE THIRD POINT. CONCLUDE
Thesis: Must answer the question in a way that makes the reader think. It cannot be too vague or too broad. Focus.
Aids: You may use a thesaurus and a dictionary.
You need to handwrite and double space your answer. Please use ink.
Next week: Finishing your USSR book and exam preparations.
Please return all English texts to the learning commons.
SPOILER ALERT: READ BELOW ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE NOVEL
If you are unsure of the last lign, speak to Cayden. No idea how to contact Cayden. Re-read the preceding sentences on page 117.
WHY DOES MEURSAULT WANT THE PUBLIC TO HATE HIM? How can you make sense of that last line? It's obvious if you think about it in terms of all the absurdist philosophy and the Myth of Sisyphus that we have discussed this week. Re-read your notes. Google it. Read Absurdism for Dummies. Do whatever you must to be prepared for this final test.
Study our vocabulary list so that your diction is elevated, yet accurate.
So, Meursault wants the public to hate him, eh?
What is his epiphany?
He has faced death, relinquished anyone's ability to define him, and now he is ready to live. He is ready to embrace life, knowing that death cannot be avoided, knowing that he robbed the ARAB of his life. He never realized the importance of life before until it was all taken away from him. He loved the sea, Marie, a good meal, a smoke, a walk. He liked observing people. He refused to play the game but as a result of that refusal he was able to define himself, not as a member of a consensual reality, but as an individual, as heroic as Sisyphus.
Go back and read your definition of absurdism. Study.
Good luck.
