Guilty or Not Guilty? That Is The Question

Although this was a long chapter, length-wise, I observed that there wasn’t almost any information that helps in character or plot development. As I read, I found myself debating for and against Meursault.

As for the information that the prosecution used to try Meursault, I believe that it didn’t have almost any relevance with the case. They tried to approach the murder as an act made in cold blood. They attempted to use Maman’s death as evidence for showing that Meursault was a bad person with some kind of dark nature. “… a stranger may offer a cup of coffee, but that beside the body of the one who brought him into the world, a son should have refused it.’” (Pg. 91) I think that basing an argument upon a person’s mood for coffee is rather a feeble effort.

Considering the arguments I believed defended Meursault, I could see that he wasn’t a bad guy at all. The people he knew were good to him and I could see that even though he was always distant they managed to find him nice and approachable. When Céleste was called to give his testimony I found it interesting to see that Céleste really cared for him. Up until now, this character was vaguely mentioned or described. “He was asked if I was a costumer of his and he said, ‘Yes, but he was also a friend’…” (Pg. 92) Céleste also poses the argument that the murder was an eventuality. “The way I see it, it’s bad luck. Everybody knows what bad luck is. It leaves you defenseless. And there it is! The way I see it it’s bad luck.” (Pg. 92). Other than the testimonies given by the people who had had contact with Meursault, I went back and saw that Meursault could have committed murder in self-defense; the Arab was the one that drew his weapon first.

Regarding the few aspects concerning character development, I observed that Meursault shows weakness, something that isn’t part of his regular behavior. “..for a the first time in years I had this stupid urge to cry, because I could feel how much all these people hated me. “(Pgs. 89-90)

Heat appears again in the court scene. Yet again, we get the image of a suffocating environment very similar to the one when Meursault kills the Arab. I’m not sure whether heat is a motif or not, maybe if something interesting happens I the next chapter.