what defense did meursault's lawyer present

by Makenzie Kling 6 min read

Rather than taking hold of the testimony or trial and steering it toward more defensible matters, such as returning the attention to the crime rather than Meursault's mother, or arguing for Meursault shooting the Arab in self-defense, instead the lawyer plays along with the prosecutor's line of attack, pleading extenuating circumstances on Meursault's behalf and proclaiming that he is suffering from "eternal regret".

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.

Full Answer

What does the lawyer already know about Meursault's case?

Feb 18, 2014 · Meursalts Lawyer tries to argue that Meursault lacks empathy and compassion. The lawyer argues that Meursalts lacks the ability to deal with people. Meursault's lawyer really dislikes Meursault, especially his ambivalence to his mother. The lawyer might have tried something else, something that doesn't make Meursault look like a heartless thug.

What does the magistrate promise to do to help Meursault?

This showed Meursault's as having no feeling about his mother's death.. What defense did Meursault's lawyer present? Meursault's lawyer describes what happened before the crime as though he were Meursault. What was the jury's verdict? The …

What is Meursault's defense for killing the Arab?

Meursault's only defense for his act was "because of the sun." That is all: "because of the sun." Meursault adds that he spoke too quickly and ran his words together; actually, what he said is of little importance for we are sure what the verdict will be.

What is Meursault's attitude toward his mother's death?

Meursault went to the beach the day of the crime with the intent to kill the Arab. (95) Defense: The prosecutor's claim is irrelevant and has nothing to do with the case. Meursault has free will and can do what he wants. Going out to see a comedy movie, might be Meursault's way of trying to get over Maman's death and not feeling sad.

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What was Meursault's defense?

Meursault's only defense for his act was "because of the sun." That is all: "because of the sun." Meursault adds that he spoke too quickly and ran his words together; actually, what he said is of little importance for we are sure what the verdict will be.

What about Meursault upsets and frustrates his lawyer?

What about Meursault upsets and frustrates his lawyer and the magistrate? He reveals that he does not believe in God. What does the magistrate use to try to break through to Meursault's feelings of remorse? He tries to use the death of his mother.

How does the lawyer react to Meursault during their first meeting?

When the lawyer first meets with Meursault, he tells him that he has a good chance of getting off, if Meursault follows his advice. 5. Meursault tells the lawyer that he had been “quite fond of Mother.” 6.May 5, 2015

What does the prosecutor say Meursault doesn't have?

what's the big question the magistrate finally asks Meursault? no, he has no emotions. He does not want to be bothered with religion when he doesn't care about it and he has a limited time left on earth.

Why is it important to the lawyer to establish Meursault's attitude towards his mother's death?

Meursault's attitude toward his mother's death can be used with blatant reminders in order to convince the jury that, before them, is a man who has no feelings, evidenced by witnesses, for his own mother's death. Thus he is capable of killing — because of his lack of feeling.

How does Meursault's attorney feel about Meursault's lack of emotion?

They are disgusted by Meursault's lack or grief about his mother's death and that he killed the Arab. He tries to talk about Meursault's mother's death.

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 did both lawyers plead to the jury about Meursault?

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 does Meursault's lawyer ask him not to say in front?

What does Meursault's lawyer ask him not say in front of others? That people sometimes wish that their loved one's were dead.

What was 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. Trial opens with the sun glaring outside (surprise) and the air stifling inside.

What was Meursault's lawyer's response to Perez testimony?

When the prosecutor acts triumphant in response to the director's testimony, Meursault thinks, "for the first time in years I had this stupid urge to cry, because I could feel how much all these people hated me." Hearing the caretaker describe him smoking and drinking coffee, Meursault thinks "for the first time I ...

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.Jan 13, 2022

What was Meursault's only defense for his act?

Meursault's only defense for his act was "because of the sun.". That is all: "because of the sun.". Meursault adds that he spoke too quickly and ran his words together; actually, what he said is of little importance for we are sure what the verdict will be.

What does Meursault say when he is judging his lawyer?

Meursault realizes that he is judging his lawyer and that the man is not nearly as "talented" as the prosecutor.

Why does the prosecutor feel no qualms about Meursault?

The prosecutor adds that when he asks for the death penalty, he has never asked for a capital sentence with so little pain. Because Meursault is heartless, the prosecutor feels no qualms because, being a religious man, he is following not only his own conscience, but his sacred obligation.

Why is Meursault on trial?

This is appallingly evident in the lawyer's failing to summon to the attention of the jury the issue of the trial: Meursault is on trial for killing an Arab — not for his actions at his mother's funeral and certainly not for any of his adventures with Marie and Raymond.

What does Camus say about Meursault?

Meursault tells us that he is a man incapable of regret.

What is the fascination of Meursault?

Meursault's fascination with the trial ebbs and recedes; he listens intently, wanting to protest, then drifts away, only half-hearing the vindictive voice of the prosecutor. Meursault is aware of the prosecutor's gestures and his elaborate phrases, but even these, he admits, catch only isolated moments of his attention.

Is Meursault aware of his sense of detachment?

Now, however, even Meursault is aware of the sense of detachment that has grown within him. It was especially evident in the last chapter, and Camus emphasizes it even more in this chapter. Meursault, for example, is vaguely aware ...

Why is Monsieur Mersault on trial?

Monsieur Mersault is on trial for firing at an Arab man once to kill him, and then another four times, while on a trip with some acquaintances. His morality is being questioned, as well as his faith.

Was the murder of Raymond Meursault premeditated?

Prosecutor: The crime was premeditated. It wasn't a chance event that Meursault became involved with the Arab and had killed him. Meursault had written the letter to Raymond's mistress, and he had testified on Raymond's behalf. Meursault went to the beach the day of the crime with the intent to kill the Arab. (95)

What is the crime of Jean-Claude Meursault?

Meursault is accused of murdering an arab man in cold blood. But if you look at the evidence it is quite obvious that he acted in self defense. His actions do not make him a bad man, or any less moral. Meursault had no motivation for killing the man, he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. He had no idea that on that day at the beach, he was going to kill a man. The man pulled a knife out at him, and Meursault did what he thought was the right thing, to protect himself. Prison is no place for an average man who's actions were justified.

Is Meursault a bad man?

He acted in self defense but some believe otherwise. Meursault is not, in any way, a bad man.

Why is Meursault capable of killing?

Thus he is capable of killing — because of his lack of feeling.

What is the reputation of Meursault?

The interrogation is brusque. Meursault, the magistrate says, has the reputation of being taciturn and somewhat self-centered.

Why did Meursault die?

Meursault dies because he refuses to lie in a court of law; he dies, says Camus in the same preface, "for the sake of truth.".

What does Meursault say about his mother?

At this point, Meursault says only that he was "quite fond" of his mother. This is the most positive statement he can make, which does not carry much legalistic clout, especially when one is considering a charge of callous, cold-blooded murder.

Why does Meursault not want sympathy?

But he does not because, as he says, he is too lazy to do so.

What does Meursault say about the crucifix?

Waving a silver crucifix, he rants that he believes in God Almighty and that even the worst of sinners (presumably, Meursault) can obtain forgiveness.

What does Meursault note about the examining magistrate's office?

Later that day, when Meursault is taken to the examining magistrate's office, he notes, first of all, the intense heat in the room and that it seems to be flooded with light. Already we have seen how sensitive Meursault is to heat and light and so this visit begins badly.

What is the prosecutor's argument in the case of Meursault?

In his closing argument, the prosecutor cites Meursault’s obvious intelligence and lack of remorse as evidence of premeditated murder. Reminding the jury that the next trial on the court’s schedule involves parricide (the murder of a close relative), the prosecutor alleges that Meursault’s lack of grief over his mother’s death threatens the moral basis of society. 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.

Why is the press giving Meursault so much publicity?

The press has given his case a great deal of publicity because the summer is a slow season for news. The judge asks Meursault why he put his mother in a home.

Did Meursault smoke?

The caretaker testifies that Meursault smoked a cigarette and drank coffee during his vigil. Meursault’s lawyer insists the jury take note that the caretaker had likewise smoked during the vigil, accepting Meursault’s offer of a cigarette.

Did Madame Meursault cry once?

The director of the home confirms that Madame Meursault complained about Meursault’s decision to put her in the home. The director says that he was surprised by Meursault’s “calm” during his mother’s funeral. He remembers that Meursault declined to see his mother’s body and did not cry once.

Who took the stand and recalls being too overcome with sadness during the funeral to notice whether or not Meursault

Thomas Perez takes the stand and recalls being too overcome with sadness during the funeral to notice whether or not Meursault cried. Celeste, claiming Meursault as his friend, attributes Meursault’s killing of the Arab to bad luck. Marie’s testimony reveals Meursault’s plan to marry her.

Is Meursault guilty of the death penalty?

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.

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