Abstract
Writer, playwright, novelist and philosopher, Albert Camus is one of the most recognized and important figures of the French scene during the twentieth century, and his work is still considered to be crucial. He had a wonderful view of the world, distinguished by a sense of ethics, justice, and a deep humanism. His literary production is very original, and in it the author develops several arguments: the philosophy of absurdism, self-consciousness, and the theme of the human condition. One of his masterpieces, L’Etranger (The Stranger, 1942) addresses these issues in a fascinating way, and that is why this article will revolve around this novel. This research will seek out the various topics of Camus’ philosophy through the narrative of The Stranger, its characters and story lines. It will use primarily the criticism of Alfonso López Quintás to get further insight into the main character and into the intention that Camus had with this book. Finally the impact of the novel when it was first published, and the extent of it today will be discussed.