Meursault's Orchid

Orchid Surprise by Nancy Eckels relates to Albert Camus's “The Stranger” in many ways. The color scheme of the painting is representative of Meursault's life, an orange canvas riddles with darks and lights. The monotonous quality of the canvas relates to Meursault's emptiness that has been conveyed over the first six chapters of “The Stranger.” Meursault's life is fairly boring as the author describes it, lacking emotional substance. Mersault is not a character who the reader sympathises with, especially after he agrees to write the letter to Raymonds mistress. It seems as though Meursault will do just about anything to become someone’s “pal.” Meursault says that he “didn’t mind being called his pal.” (Camus 47)

In chapter six of the novel, Meursault decides to shoot one of the Arabs who has returned to the beach after the confrontation between Raymond and his mistress’ brother. The darkness on the painting represents the darkness within Meursault. While Meursault may appear to be just a social recluse with a strange personality, he is evidently an incredibly complex character that has something within him that is troubling. Meursault’s darkness has developed throughout the novel and has led to the death of one man so far. Meursault is a dangerous man who lives under the camouflage of dullness.

Finally, the light of the painting represents the good side of Meursault, though far less prominent in the life of Meursault than other characters in fiction. After Meursault shoots the Arab, Meursault describes how shooting the Arab was like “knocking on the door of unhappiness” (Camus 77) thus signifying that Meursault is not just a psychopathic murderer, as he realizes what he is doing is wrong and that it makes him feel bad. Meursault is trying to find the good within him however he is often trapped in the darkness, represented by the proportions of color on the painting.