Journal 8

Why does Camus create a part 1 and a part 2? Identify parallel ideas or scenes that occur between the two parts. What does Camus accomplish by comparing ideas between the two parts?

Camus creates a part 1 and a part 2 in order to show not only how Meursault has changed throughout the story, but surprisingly also how he has not. In part 1, Meursault really does not talk about being happy or unhappy, but realizes when he is in jail in part 2 just how happy he was with his life. This illuminates a theme of not knowing what you have until it's gone. However, in part one he doesn't really seem to care one way or another if he marries Marie. Then in part 2, he looks at her during his trial and says his heart doesn't feel a thing. It is interesting how Camus has used part 1 and part 2 to convey two totally different things.