In (italics:) The Stranger, Albert Camus uses stylized sentence structure and suggestive quoting mechanics to (change:) emphasize Meursault's glum view on the world.
Camus emphasizes this blandness by paralleling his writing style to Meursault's feelings.
When the narrator portrays to the reader that Meursault, the protagonist, has finished sleeping, Camus writes. "The night passed." (11). This description lacks verve and creativity. However, when other characters are present, he says that "... the sun was overpowering. It shattered into little pieces on the sand and water." (55). Camus takes a simple act of nature, and gives it more life than Meursault. Another example of short, boring, to-the-point sentences; Meursault's mind gives us his point of view, and his thoughts flow from: "They got up." to "I was tired." (12) in seconds. These short sentences demonstrate and parralel Meursault's attitude to the world.
But, Camus' does not only shorten sentences, he also, often, takes away Meursault's voice. "'I'm going to ask them to seal the casket. Before I do, would you like to see your mother one last time?' I said no." (13). Not only is his response phrased with three (uninteresting) words, but Meursalt's doesn't actively say 'no.' Camus allows the caretaker to ask a question, but when the main character is given only a hint at what he actually says. Although this does not happen every time, it happens frequently. On an occasion where Meursault does 'speak,' he answeres in one word: "What?... Yes.... Yes.... Fairly..." (16). When reading this, the reader can easily detect a grey tone in his voice. Even besides Meursault's boring tone, he answers questions about the weather and his mother in one word. He is answering the questions, but with no flair or personality.
This lack of flair really does does become a pattern with Meursault, and eventually leads to Marie becoming irritated (marriage part).
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