Stranger Journal 4

Meursault drastically changes as a character from section one to section two. In section one he is very unemotional and simply boring. In section two he starts to liven up which brings out some of his personality. For Instance in section two Meursault finally admits that he feels poorly about his mothers death. He may not have admitted it out loud but even thinking it to the reader is a substancial step for him, "I probably did love Maman, but it didn't mean anything,"(Camus 65). He is stating that he did have emotions that were not expressed when his mother died. He felt love for her and sadness that she was gone, but he was unable to express those feelings in part one. 

Aother instance where Meursault shows his new found personality and feelings is when he expresses his view on God, "Asking me if I believe in God. I said no." (Camus 69) This shows that Meursault does have oppinions and emotions hidden inside of him. It just takes a little effort to force those thoughts and feelings to be shown. 

Not only is there a change in the character of Meursault through his thoughts and dialogue, but also through the syntax and over all mood of the book. In section 1 Meursault is very serious and does not show any emotion or personality for the most part. The sytax of Camus' writing is also very choppy and stacato in the first section. This all changes in the second section, "I was led into a curtained room; there was a single lamp on his desk which was shining on a chair where he had me sit while he remained stnading in the shadows. I had read descriptions of scenes like this in books and it all seemed like a game to me,"(Camus 64). Not only do the sentences extend and flow more in the second section, but there is also a much greater presence of emotion in the writing in section two. In this passage there is almost a  humorous feel to the way he speaks. This is a new side to Meursault that we, the readers, have never seen before during the book.