Sunday, March 11, 2012

Journal 3: Two Parts

   I think Camus split the novel into two parts to illustrate Meursault's change in character, despite similar scenes and situations. The overall syntax of part two is longer, more flowing than part one. More comas are used, the sentences are longer, and everything seems less choppy. The voice that the narrator adopts also becomes much more personable. Meursault in part two often seems to speak to the reader, saying things like "If I can put it this way" and "Now, as I think back on it" which actually makes him more human to the reader. This is different from the first part, when he spoke very flatly about his actions.
   Also, when I look at the tabbing, it becomes very apparent that the first part was much more concerned with imagery and descriptions of Meursault's surroundings and other people. The second part reflects more on himself, and how he feels, and what he thinks others are feeling (This is obvious to me because I have more blue tabs in the first part for imagery and more yellow tabs in the second part for Meursault's characterization).
   Similar situations and scenes make appearances throughout the second part. For instance, Meursault ends up in the magistrate's office in the first chapter, just like he was in the director's office during the first chapter of part one. Later, Meursault is in his cell, looking out the small window at his view of the town and then the sea, similar to when he's in his room during part one, watching the people on the street. These scenes and situation pop up in a parallel way, but Meursault narrates them differently, to illustrate a change in his character, although it is difficult to understand why he has changed to a more open, likeable narrator. Perhaps it is because he is now in isolation, which is easier for him than being surrounded by others. Perhaps it's because his id has finally succeeded in bursting past the superego and has committed an act of violence, sparked by internal conflict in the subconscious. It's difficult to say.

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