Why do Catholics read The Stranger by Camus?

[St_Francis]

That was the best title I could come up with. I din’t really see why anyone would read a depressing book like this, but also I particularly wonder why a Catholic would read it, given that its “reality” is anti-thetical to ours.

Any good reasons for reading this?

Thanks very much!

 

[AnnArbor]

That was the best title I could come up with. I din’t really see why anyone would read a depressing book like this, but also I particularly wonder why a Catholic would read it, given that its “reality” is anti-thetical to ours.

Any good reasons for reading this?

Thanks very much!

To be well-educated?

 

[Charlemagne_III]

That was the best title I could come up with. I din’t really see why anyone would read a depressing book like this, but also I particularly wonder why a Catholic would read it, given that its “reality” is anti-thetical to ours.

Any good reasons for reading this?

Thanks very much!

I agree that the book is not worth reading for a Catholic. Most Catholics who would read it today probably do so because it is required reading in a college course. Camus and Sartre were all the rage in the 1950s to 1960s only because existentialism was all the rage. Both philosophers were essentially atheistic, and atheism was also taking hold in Western culture as it had never taken hold before. But I think the French (and the whole world) at that time were so depressed because of World War II and the moral havoc and despair it unleashed. With so much evil going on in the world it was difficult for many to see the protecting hand of God over us all.

 

[Nelka]

I’ve never heard of it.

 

[Polycarp1]

I agree that the book is not worth reading for a Catholic. Most Catholics who would read it today probably do so because it is required reading in a college course. Camus and Sartre were all the rage in the 1950s to 1960s only because existentialism was all the rage. Both philosophers were essentially atheistic, and atheism was also taking hold in Western culture as it had never taken hold before. But I think the French (and the whole world) at that time were so depressed because of World War II and the moral havoc and despair it unleashed. With so much evil going on in the world it was difficult for many to see the protecting hand of God over us all.

I can never seem to get past the fact where an author is an atheist because just that fact alone tells me that they aren’t very bright (I didn’t want to say stupid) and probably don’t have anything worthwhile to put on paper. But maybe I’m just old and grouchy!

 

[St_Francis]

To be well-educated?

Can you elaborate? What is there in the story which educates? What does it teach?

FWIW, I have to evaluate books as a part of my work.

 

[St_Francis]

Thanks Polycarp and Chalemagne III! Good to know I am not alone

 

[Qoeleth]

That was the best title I could come up with. I din’t really see why anyone would read a depressing book like this, but also I particularly wonder why a Catholic would read it, given that its “reality” is anti-thetical to ours.

Any good reasons for reading this?

Thanks very much!

Camus did this thesis on the influence of Plotinus on Augustine, and he wanted to be re-baptized towards the end of his life.

He also said, the best thing Christians could do was to continue to be Christians.

A book of his I really recommend is “The Fall”- a modern presentation of John the Baptist.

HIs book “The Plague” really drew me back to the Catholic faith, at a stage when I was straying. How I see it- we get a picture of an apparently random, or even ‘evil’ world- yet how do we respond to the tragedy and futility of human life. By trying to ‘be decent’…

One of the most inspiring characters is the Jesuit priest- who eventually decides a Christian should not take medical advice. And the character who passes chickpeas from one bowl to another- achieving sanctity through regularity.

The big message is that we are confronted with an apparently futile and morally indifferent world- yet our ‘redemption’ lies in something beyond.

As for “The Outsider” (or “The Stranger”) it connection with Christianity is less clear. But there is an important scene near the end, when the questioning of the fellow is modelled on the question of Christ- where he has nothing really to answer. Yet, he is perfectly honest- the only one with a real relationship to the Truth.

I suppose anything that brings a true and honest insight to the human condition is relevant for Catholics.

I think the book is more likely to be enjoyed by Christians than atheists, since it raises questions without giving answers. As Christians, it reminds us why faith is so important. For an atheist, it would be depressing.

 

[St_Francis]

Camus did this thesis on the influence of Plotinus on Augustine, and he wanted to be re-baptized towards the end of his life.

He also said, the best thing Christians could do was to continue to be Christians.

A book of his I really recommend is “The Fall”- a modern presentation of John the Baptist.

HIs book “The Plague” really drew me back to the Catholic faith, at a stage when I was straying. How I see it- we get a picture of an apparently random, or even ‘evil’ world- yet how do we respond to the tragedy and futility of human life. By trying to ‘be decent’…

One of the most inspiring characters is the Jesuit priest- who eventually decides a Christian should not take medical advice. And the character who passes chickpeas from one bowl to another- achieving sanctity through regularity.

The big message is that we are confronted with an apparently futile and morally indifferent world- yet our ‘redemption’ lies in something beyond.

As for “The Outsider” (or “The Stranger”) it connection with Christianity is less clear. But there is an important scene near the end, when the questioning of the fellow is modelled on the question of Christ- where he has nothing really to answer. Yet, he is perfectly honest- the only one with a real relationship to the Truth.

I suppose anything that brings a true and honest insight to the human condition is relevant for Catholics.

I think the book is more likely to be enjoyed by Christians than atheists, since it raises questions without giving answers. As Christians, it reminds us why faith is so important. **For an atheist, it would be depressing. **

Funny you should say that: I was a “practical atheist” at the time it was assigned!

Also, what you said about anything bringing true insight into the human condition… this is very interesting. I have always railed against the view of life some authors have, but what you say shiws me that what is more important is what is taught about human nature, and the view of life is more like a setting. If the characters are true, then this is what happens in that setting.

And I guess it is rather foolish of me to think a really depressing book is some sort of advertisement for that worldview

Thanks so much for sharing your insights! Thank you also for telling me so much about his other books; now I will look into them as well.

 

[Aloysium]

A prevalent modern atheistic approach to religion is to ridicule its beliefs and present it as an oppressive, mysogynistic institution, responsible for neurosis and poor self esteem. The motto of the 2008 UK bus campaign was: “There’s probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” I recall reading L’Etranger in French class, too long ago, and that it had much to say about a life without God. Today’s young atheists would do well to read and consider the implications of their belief system.