how does meursaults lawyer portray him to the jury

by Dr. Olga Vandervort Jr. 10 min read

Meursault's lawyer gives his summation, speaking in the first person as if he were Meursault. Meursault is... (full context) The jury files out to determine the verdict. Meursault's lawyer is confident that Meursault won't be sentenced to death.

Full Answer

How does the jury feel about Meursault?

Being the representative of society, the jury opposes Meursault and accuses him of not conforming to society’s natural ways, and being what we nowadays refer to as the “odd one out”. They exclude him from society for his odd clear-cut and sincere demeanor, and for his manifestation of an inexpressive character.

What is the relationship between the lawyer and Meursault?

The lawyer is a representative of society, a ‘normal’ man and he does not seem to understand Meursault’s way of thinking. Also, when the judge interrogated him, he kept asking him why he shot the Arab 5 times, since he was dead with the first shot but Meursault did not know what to tell him, because he did not know why he did it.

Why does the jury oppose Meursault in the Crucible?

The answer is simple: it does not relate to the murder of the Arab. Being the representative of society, the jury opposes Meursault and accuses him of not conforming to society’s natural ways, and being what we nowadays refer to as the “odd one out”.

How does the magistrate exclude Meursault from society?

They exclude him from society for his odd clear-cut and sincere demeanor, and for his manifestation of an inexpressive character. Another example is the moment in which the magistrate, a local member of the judiciary having limited jurisdiction, especially in criminal cases, questioned Meursault.

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How does Meursault obtain a lawyer to represent him?

That would be too much trouble and Meursault is not sure that it is necessary for him even to have a lawyer. He is, in fact, pleased to learn that the court will appoint a lawyer for the defense; all the bothersome details will be taken care of.

How did Meursault's lawyer respond to the jury's findings?

By Albert Camus At first, Meursault finds the pleading stage and closing remarks amusing. Both lawyers plead guilty, but his attorney does it with an explanation, whereas the prosecutor does so without one. Meursault feels that all through trial, more is said about him than about the crime he committed.

What is Meursault's role in his trial?

In a moral sense, the prosecutor argues, Meursault is just as guilty as the man who killed his own father. Calling for the death penalty, the prosecutor elaborates that Meursault's actions have paved the way for the man who killed his father, so Meursault must be considered guilty of the other man's crime as well.

What has Meursault's attorney told him about the trial?

Meursault's attorney tells him that it wouldn't last more than two or three days because a more interesting parricide (the murder of a family member) case is coming up after his trial.

What is Meursault's first impression of the jury?

What is Meursault's first impression of the jury? He is not aware of them, he thinks he's innocent; describes them as strangers on a streetcar.

What is Meursault's complaint about the trial proceedings and especially about both the defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney?

What is Meursaults complaint about the trial proceedings and especially about both the defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney? How does he react? He finds the trial extremely boring. Can Meursaults crime be considered premeditated?

What defense did Meursault's lawyer present?

What defense did Meursault's lawyer present? Meursault's lawyer offers an interpretation of the events that led up to the crime, speaking in the first person, as though he were Meursault.

What does Meursault compare the jury to?

As he is being ushered into the courtroom by policemen, he compares the jury to "anonymous passengers" on a streetcar "looking over the new arrival to see if they could find something funny about him." Meursault approaches the trial as if he were its spectator rather than its subject.

Why was Meursault's trial unfair?

Because there is no real truth in the trial, the verdict was unfair and illogical. Camus uses his beliefs of truth not existing and life being precious to point out the absurdity of the judicial system, and suggest the abolishment of the death penalty.

What does Meursault's lawyer mean when he says of the trial everything is true and nothing is true 91?

Truth. Meursault's lawyer makes a good point when he says that in this absurd trial “everything is true and nothing is true.” The truth of the matter is that Meursault shot the Arab man for no good reason and without planning the murder in advance.

Does Meursault have faith that his attorney will convince the jury of his innocence?

Does Meursault have faith that his attorney will convince the jury of his innocence? No, the lawyer seemed ridiculous to him.

What is Meursault's reaction to the prosecuting attorney's summation?

What does Meursault feel about his lawyer's and the prosecutor's summations? Meursault thinks the prosecutor is a better lawyer than his own. They feel that they are almost the same because they both say he is guilty.

What does Meursault try to convince his lawyer?

As he is being interviewed, Meursault tries to convince his lawyer that he did not know the man he killed and that he shot him for no reason. The lawyer is a representative of society, a ‘normal’ man and he does not seem to understand Meursault’s way of thinking.

What does Meursault feel like when he goes to the beach?

As Meursault goes to the beach and he went outside in the sun, he said: “it felt like a slap across the face”. One can see how much it affected him, since Meursault recognizes the physical world better than the emotional. When he gets to the beach Meursault is relieved to finally see the “clear water”.

Why does Meursault appear numb?

Meursault does not understand why events, such as marriage or death of a loved one, usually have a sentimental value for people and this is what makes him appear as numb and disconnected with them. When Meursault is first introduced in the novel, he has to attend his mother’s funeral in Marengo.

Why is Meursault considered an outsider?

Generally, Meursault is viewed as an outsider to society, since he cannot comprehend the consequences of his actions ...

Is Meursault an outsider?

One could say that Meursault lives his life with his own rules that please him. Lastly, he is not an outsider to his natural environment, because since he is so familiar with it, it has started to affect his emotions and mood. One can say that Meursault is an outsider to society, but not to himself and the environment.

Does Meursault cry at his mother's funeral?

In contradiction with the above paragraph, it can also be argued that Meursault is not an outsider to himself, he rather knows what he wants. He does not cry at his mother’s funeral and he does not mourn her death, simply because it did not mean anything to him.

Does Meursault change himself?

Meursault does not want to change himself and by not accepting the job opportunity to Paris, he stays true to his absurdist beliefs. Another moment where the protagonist rejects society’s views is when he has a discussion with the chaplain and refuses by any means to turn to God, even if that is his last option left.

Why did the jury exclude Meursault?

They exclude him from society for his odd clear-cut and sincere demeanor, and for his manifestation of an inexpressive character.

Is there justice in The Stranger?

Is there truly any justice in the novel The Stranger, written by Albert Camus? This is a question that naturally protrudes throughout the novel, as it is not abundantly clear what Meursault, the protagonist, was, in fact, put on trial for. At the beginning of the second part of the narrative, it is understood that he is put on trial for the murder of an Arab; however, it later comes to our attention that the murder was not the primary reason of his trial, and perhaps not even an essential one for that matter.

Did Meursault grieve at his mother's funeral?

And later, during the trial, the judge and the prosecuting attorney seem more intrigued by the fact that Meursault did not grieve at his mother’s funeral and got involved with Marie the day after it, than the actual act that had been committed: the assassination of a man.

Did Meursault love Maman?

Meursault responded rather coldly when his lawyer had asked him if he had felt any sadness that day, saying that he “probably did love Maman, but that didn’t mean anything.

Did Meursault have a perversion of the truth?

The majority of the witnesses that had been called only supported the argument of his callous nature, as they very well knew that Meursault was frighteningly candid, and could not, or would not, create a perversion of the truth to suite his trial, as well as his need for freedom.

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