Olivia Marnell

#laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

@Hi_Im_Rivas @litwithkale sounds like something a cult leader would say #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

What do you think about Jack saying he felt “stupidly obliged to go on with what he had started” with Melanie? Do you think this is a valid explanation? (pg 133) #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

“Down By the Salley Gardens” — the piece that brings Adam and Fiona together #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Page 119 says “To take up the violin or any instrument was an act of hope, it implied a future” and I agree. Why would Adam take up the violin just a few weeks from his death? #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

The discussion on “why is it wrong” on page 116/117 is interesting. Even though Adam explains the word of God with such conviction, the argument simply comes down to “it’s wrong because we know it” — a stance that skeptics/nonbelievers like Fiona can easily challenge #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Fiona deals with a lot of families that are torn by religious values, yet somehow seems indifferent to them herself. Perhaps their conflicts will affect her own later? #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Fiona’s line “This court is a court of law, not of morals...” is ironic. As we see immediately after (and as we just saw in The Stranger) religious virtues and morals play a huge role in court hearings, even if it shouldn’t #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

The books references to Antony and Cleopatra foreshadows a complicated relationship like that of Mark Antony and Cleopatra: it seems like they may keep coming back to each other then fighting again, but Jack will eventually be the one to “fall on his own sword” #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

“She loved her children far less than she loved herself” is a line that really stuck out to me (pg 14). Clearly children are going to be very important to the story, but it seems like this mentality may somehow be one that challenges Fiona’s, even though she has no kids #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

“the guillotine is on the same level as the man approaching it.” If Meursault is the man approaching, the guillotine is the law. Both are killers, both are criminals, both are on the same moral level. How is it logical to kill someone to punish them for killing another? #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

“For the third time I’ve refused to see the chaplain.” reminds me of Peter’s three denials of Christ. After refusing to acknowledge Jesus’ existence 3 times, the “Repentance of Peter” came in his bitter crying/yelling and “turbulent emotions” 🤔🤔 #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Meursault is incessantly attacked for how impartial and objective he is about the situation, but the prosecution is never questioned for how subjective he is. Meursault is guilty, but talk about the soul and morals is unrelated to the case and to the prosecutor’s job #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

its ironic that Meursault’s crime was considered “premeditated” when pretty much everything he’s ever done was done without thinking about it first #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Oddly, Meursault’s indifference doesn’t seem sad or unfortunate or troubled. Somehow he seems at peace not knowing or caring about anything, further disassociating him from the rest of the world who can’t handle not having an answer #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

There’s very little in Chapter 6 that is logical or practical — both for the characters and the reader. Meursault has no clear motives for his actions, no considersation of the consequences, and the reader has no answers as to why #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

It’s interesting how Salamano intertwines the topics of his dog and Meursault’s mother when they talk in Chapter 5. He says his dog’s best feature was his coat, adding that there’s no cure for old age—this seems to put more emphasis on physical things, human or not #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

What do you think is the significance of the girl who sits near Meursault at Celeste’s/her habits? What does Meursault briefly following her say about him? #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Much like sleeping/tiredness, the frequently mentioned cigarettes, eating, and drinking all serve as distractions or points of comfort for Meursault #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Meursault’s unusual reaction to his mother’s death seems like it may be indicative of his character as a whole, specifically in his thoughts about women. He has very few thoughts of Marie and Raymond’s mistress that surpass the fact that they simply exist #laylit18

[Olivia Marnell @olivia_marnell]

Meursault is incredibly detached and emotionless, especially after his mother’s death. He says he wished he didn’t have to listen to the woman crying and was grateful when she “shut up.” He didn’t know Maman’s actual age and didn’t even to see her before she was buried #laylit18