When Albert Camus' novel The Stranger was first published in 1942, many readers were unsure what to make of Meursault, the emotionally charged protagonist disconnected from Camus' story. His absurd opinions confused the masses who yearned to find meaning in actions. But it wasn't just readers who didn't understand Meursault. The other characters in Camus' novel also did not understand the character's philosophy. Ultimately, Camus's title, The Stranger, well characterizes Meursault who is separated by a "glass partition" from his friends, from society and even from himself. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Throughout the novel, it becomes clear that Meursault is not really understood by anyone, not even his closest friends. For example, Meursault's neighbor Salamano, in an unwarranted attempt to comfort his friend, states that Meursault "must have been very sad since mother died...he knew that [Meursault] loved him very much" (45). To the reader, the idea that Meursault had any affection for his mother is an absurd thought because he has shown no signs of sadness since his mother's death, much less any emotion. In fact, Meursault does not even know his own mother's age, responding to his boss's questions that she was "around sixty years old" (25). Portrayed as cold and unfeeling even to those who know him best, Meursault is clearly disconnected from those close to him. Furthermore, those who believe they know him, like Salamano, are mistaken in their judgments and attempt to impose their own interpretations of events to explain Meursault's actions. This method used by Camus can be described as a “glass partition”. Similar to a window, those on one side can observe what is happening on the other, but often the true meaning is lost. Salamano can see his neighbor attending his mother's funeral, but ultimately misinterprets that Meursault is in mourning. Meursault's girlfriend, Marie Cardona, also does not really understand the man she loves, which is illustrated when she proposes marriage: That evening, Marie came to see me and asked if I wanted to marry him. . . I said it made no difference to me and we could do it if she wanted. Then she wanted to know if I loved her. I responded the same way as last time, that it didn't mean anything, but that I probably didn't like him. “So why marry me, then?” she said. I explained to her that it didn't matter and that if she wanted, we could get married. (41) Marriage, arguably one of the most important decisions in a person's life, barely elicits a reaction from Meursault when Marie suggests it. Furthermore, Marie, his girlfriend, the one with whom he is most intimate, clearly does not understand him. This exchange clearly demonstrates Meursault's distance and incomprehension, even from his closest companions, making him a true stranger. Furthermore, for the rest of society, Meursault is a stranger. At the beginning of the novel, Meursault looks out his window at the street below – a divine, unattached figure, observing from afar. Looking at the people "returning from their walks" and the children "who are crying or lagging behind", he never makes the slightest gesture to interact with them - even when "several girls, whom he knew, made him sign ". (24). Meursault is also a stranger to society in its physical reality. Camus's title, coincidentally, was translated as "The Stranger", which is what Meursault, a Frenchman, is in Algiers. In fact, it has no connection with.