The Stranger #2

                Mersault's feelings of indifference towards the rest of the world is further explored as the story progresses. His view towards women is quite shallow. The only reason he spends time with Marie is to look at her and use her for pleasure. When she asks him if he loves her, he "told her it didn't mean anything but that I didn't think so" (35), and when he is asked later, he responds with a similar indifference. Then, later, when she asks him if he would marry her, he responds in the exact same way: "I explained to her that it didn't really matter and that if she wanted to, we could get married" (41). When faced with such strong and serious emotions, Mersault reacts in the same indifferent manner. He is void of emotion. His mind fixates on giving in to cravings, such as smoking another cigarette, or sleeping with Marie, or eating a meal. All of his actions benefit him in some way, and those that involve others are pushed aside in his mind as being of less importance. There is some vacancy in his soul, something that isn't being fulfilled. Raymond is the only person he feels somewhat connected to, and the reader can notice the path to ruin that Raymond leads. Mersault follows closely down this path, as he becomes closer to Raymond and decides to defend him against domestic abuse charges.