The Stranger Lesson Plan

Meursault thinks of the pretrial proceedings as a “game.” How does this exemplify his attitude toward life and society?

Meursault believes that society and social propriety are, basically, a game, and that one must play society’s game to be considered normal and acceptable. The life he has lived thus far has been a life that rejects the game: Meursault insists on not living a lie, and refuses to play by rules that he does not believe in. His perspective on the trial is not significantly different from the way he has seen other parts of society in the book thus far.

What shocking ‘truths’ does Meursault reveal to his lawyer? How does he misunderstand ‘normalcy’ as the...