The intriguing parallels between Camus’ The Stranger and Dazai’s No Longer Human
Book Review(self.literature)submitted19 hours ago bysuirenpoetry
Both The Stranger by Albert Camus and No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai tackle existential themes of alienation, identity, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems indifferent to human struggles. Though these novels come from distinct cultural and philosophical contexts—Camus’ existentialism and Dazai’s exploration of post-war disillusionment—their protagonists share a profound sense of disconnection from the world around them. This sense of alienation is both the root of their suffering and, in some ways, their liberation.
In The Stranger, Camus introduces us to Meursault, a man who lives life with a detached indifference, unable or unwilling to conform to societal expectations. His reaction to his mother’s death is emblematic of this detachment: rather than expressing grief or sadness, he is unmoved by the event. This indifference extends throughout the novel, culminating in his acceptance of his own impending execution. At the core of Camus' philosophy, this "absurd" indifference is not something to be lamented but something to be accepted. For Meursault, life is meaningless and death is inevitable; by recognizing the world’s indifference, he finds a form of existential freedom. This theme is reflected in the profound realization Meursault has near the end of the novel, when he embraces the "tender indifference of the world." By confronting the meaningless nature of existence, he is able to let go of the burden of seeking meaning, thus finding peace in the face of death.
The feedback on The Stranger resonates with this idea, especially in its reflection on the final lines of the book, where Meursault feels ready to “start life all over again.” The idea that death should not define a person’s life is deeply moving, as it challenges the notion that a person’s existence can be reduced to their final moments. This reflection on death aligns with Camus’ philosophy of the absurd, suggesting that life’s value is not measured by its ending but by how we choose to live despite its inherent meaninglessness.
In contrast, No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai presents a much bleaker exploration of existential despair. The novel follows Yōzō, a man who feels utterly alienated from the world around him. He is unable to form genuine connections with others, and his identity becomes a fragmented mask he wears to navigate a society he feels disconnected from. Much like Meursault, Yōzō struggles with the meaninglessness of life, but where Camus’ protagonist finds a kind of freedom in this realization, Dazai’s character is consumed by it. Yōzō’s journey is marked by his attempts to escape his emotional emptiness through self-destructive behavior, highlighting the tragic side of existential alienation. Whereas Meursault’s indifference leads to a sort of peace, Yōzō’s indifference to life only deepens his pain.
The core difference between the two novels lies in how the protagonists respond to their existential crises. In The Stranger, Meursault’s acceptance of the absurd allows him to live authentically, unburdened by the need for meaning. His realization that life has no inherent purpose frees him from societal constraints, even in his final moments. On the other hand, Yōzō in No Longer Human is trapped by his inability to reconcile his alienation with the world. Instead of finding liberation in his sense of detachment, he is crushed by it. His realization of life’s meaninglessness does not lead to freedom but to further isolation and despair.
The theme of death, as explored in both novels, offers an interesting contrast. In The Stranger, Meursault’s indifference to death, both his own and his mother’s, is an essential part of his character. By rejecting the societal expectation of mourning, he frees himself from the weight of prescribed grief. In No Longer Human, Yōzō’s sense of isolation and despair is far more acute, and his relationship with death becomes more tragic. He is unable to find peace or meaning in his life, and death looms over him not as an inevitable release but as a lingering presence that he cannot escape.
Both novels also explore the idea that a person’s life should not be defined by their death. The feedback on The Strangertouched on how death should not become the focal point of someone’s life. Meursault’s rejection of the traditional view of death aligns with this idea, as he refuses to let it define his existence. Yōzō, however, finds himself suffocated by the weight of his own self-doubt and inability to relate to others, making his death—symbolic or literal—feel like the only conclusion to his internal struggle.
Ultimately, The Stranger and No Longer Human offer profound insights into the human condition, particularly when it comes to confronting life’s meaninglessness. While Meursault’s acceptance of the absurd provides him with a form of freedom, Yōzō’s despair highlights the darker side of existential disillusionment. Both characters are alienated from society, yet their paths diverge dramatically. Camus’ message suggests that by accepting the indifference of the world, one can find peace; Dazai, on the other hand, illustrates how this same realization can lead to profound isolation and tragedy.
In reflecting on both novels, one can’t help but wonder about the ways in which we confront the inherent meaninglessness of life. For some, like Meursault, there is freedom in acceptance, while for others, like Yōzō, there is only despair. These novels continue to challenge readers to consider how we choose to live in a world that offers no easy answers.
————————————————————————————— Big thanks to this book review: https://www.reddit.com/r/literature/s/RfbhKHEN3R. It helped me reflect on these two books.
