The Stranger Essay

Critic Roland Barthes has said, "Literature is the question minus the answer." Consider Barthes‘s observation and write an essay in which you analyze a central question The Stranger raises and the extent to which it offers answers. Explain how the author's treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
Due Friday, 4/27/2018

The Stranger: Quotations

We have finished reading The Stranger.

Write down ten quotations from The Stranger that show Meursault's character.  They can be from any point in the novel, but they should reflect the development of the plot.  Write at least one or two sentences of commentary on each one.

This will be handed in.

The Stranger Part 1

We have finished the first part of The Stranger (Chapters 1-6).  Here are some questions to answer:

How is Meursault affected by his mother’s death?
What does Meursault like? 
What does Meursault dislike?
Examine Meursault’s relationships.  Consider:
Salamano
Raymond
Marie
Meursault’s boss
How is Meursault a “stranger” or an “outsider?”
Which other characters are “outsiders?”
Look back at the murder scene in chapter 6.  How is it different from other scenes in the book?  What does it have common with other scenes in the book?
Why does Meursault shoot the Arab?
What are some patterns/motifs/recurring symbols you see in the book?

The Stranger, the First Few Chapters

We have begun reading The Stranger.  We are on chapter 3 now.

Please take notes on the following concerning Meursault:
What we know about him?
What kinds of things does he notice?
How would you describe his personality?

Also, please remember that research paper final drafts are due Wednesday.

Databases

Be sure to make use of the high school library's excellent collection of databases.  Go to the library's webpage to access them.

Planning a Research Paper

You should have three or fewer topics selected from your initial list of 20.

1. Define and refine your topic.  Make sure your topic is specific and not too broad.
2. Plan your research.  Gather background information about your topic.  Consult general reference sources to learn key terms and concepts.  
3. Find resources.  These are the sources you will cite in your paper.  Do you need articles?  Books?  Audio recordings?  Will you need to conduct interviews or surveys?
4. Create a thesis statement.  What is the thing you are going to prove?  This should be one or two sentences in length.
5. Make an outline. Let your focus guide your research.  Write down how you will organize your main points.  
6. Write a first draft of your paper.  
7. Revise and rewrite in order to create a final draft.  

Due dates: Rough Draft: 4/4  Final Draft: 4/11

Essay

We are working on the Hiroshima essay in class today and tomorrow.