How is existentialism to be defined? Many of its followers have traced its origins back to Pascal, to St. Augustine, even to Socrates. Each individual characteristic of the belief can be almost as different as the creators are. If two writers both claimed to be existentialists they would not be able to agree on any one important point. "To define existentialism by means of a set philosophical formula could be very misleading."(McCarthy, 78). Any formula broad enough to encompass all of the major existentialist beliefs would be so vague and general that it wouldn't be comprehendible. Overall the philosophy states that god does not directly intervene in one's life and that only man can control his actions. Although Camus never considered himself a true existentialist, the novel The Stranger fully illustrates its concepts. The novel, The Stranger, portrays an existentialistic lifestyle utilizing the beliefs of the irrationality of the universe and the meaningless of human life to prove Camus' absurdist philosophy.
             In order to fully grasp the theory of existentialism it is vital to analyze the main character. Meursault is an emotionally detached individual. The tragedies that occur in life do not seem to affect him emotionally, for example the death of his mother. Because he does not grieve over his mother's death, he is seen as an outcast or criminal to society. He is unable to determine what is right or what is wrong. He simply does the things he does because he has "no reason not to." Further Meursault refuses to accept the existence of god. According the theory of existentialism god may exist, however he does not directly intervene in human life.
             The stranger portrays Meursault as an emotionless individual. He is unable to grasp the emotional aspects of life. Instead he focuses mainly on the physical world. He centers on the conditions of his physical self and the ...