the+stranger

=The Stranger =


**Jobs (12/04/09) **: Jake: Questions Katie: Summary of Meeting Kelsey: Summary of Book **
 * Mark: Food

Summary of Book (Kelsey): In the first chapter of this book, many characters are presented. The main character of this story is Maman's son, Meursault. In this novel, Maman has died and Meursault attends his funeral. I am drawn to this character because throughout the time of him visiting his dead mother, he shows no emotion, concern, or sympathy. He seems as if he is annoyed at something. I do understand why he would not want to see his dead mother, but i do not understand why he would show up to something that his emotions couldn't handle. Also, I am sympathetic for the mother because, from what the book has described, Meursualt showed no effort in comforting or helping his mother in time of need when she was alone. I hope to understand his point of view at the end of this story.

Another character in the story was the caretaker. This man was in charge of keeping Meursault company. He is an upbeat man, but can talk too much. In the book Meursault said that he talked so much that he wanted to fall asleep. I don't understand what the caretaker is really there for. Is he there to comfort Meursault or judge the people who come and go through his work? He is a strange character who i don't know is, in a sense, "good" or "evil" in the story. Hopefully my questions are answered by the end of this book.

Questions (Jake): 1.Why do you think Mersault didn't really show any emotions due to his mother's death? - We think he didn't show any emotions because he didn't believe that his mother was really dead. 2.How do you think his mother died? - We think someone at the funeral killed her. 3.Do you think he knew those ten women who were at his mothers wake? - We think he had no clue because he is very distant from him mother. 4.Why didn't he know that guy who was really close with his mother? - We think he didn't have a relationship with his mother, so he didn't real know anything about her. 5.Do you think Mersault has "some bolts untightened?" - We think he has some emotion disease or he is just flat out crazy.

Summary of Meeting (Katie): On friday me, Kelsey, Mark, and Jake got together and discussed the first chapter of The Strangers. Mark forgot the food, but that didn't stop our group from eating. Hans let us steal some of his food, as well as; ross and morgan. Jake made the questions during class, which I think was a good idea. I like this better because then we can all pitch in for questions and understand the reading a lot better. Kelsey wrote a summary of the book and we all enjoyed reminiscing about what had happened. Our discussion was very good and it helped each of us understand a lot better. I think we will all find this book to be really good and a good page turner. I can't wait to keep reading and find out what's happening. I can speak for the whole group when I say we really enjoy this book.

Mark: Questions Jake: Summary of Meeting Katie: Summary of Book Kelsey: Food **
 * Jobs (12/11/09):

Summary of the book (katie): Chapter two starts off slow, but shows Meursault flirty side. It helps him forget about his mother for a little while, while he focuses on Marie. At first, Marie was surprised at the fact that Meursault's mother was burried just a day earlier, but soon forgets. They spend the night together, then Marie is gone by morning. Meursault goes back to work, and acts totally normal. Like nothing even happened. It seems very odd, but no one mentions anything for their afraid to upset him. Meursault soon becomes “pals” with Raymond. He helps him out with his problems. After time goes by Meursault seems heartless because he lacks tears and a sad face for his mother's death. A few weeks later Marie comes back into Meursault's life. She asks him if he loves her. He replys negativly and upsets Marie. I think Meursault mother's death has something to do with his lack of companionship for other people. Raymond runs into some trouble when his mistress calls the cops on him for beating her. Meursault backs Raymond up and agrees that his mistress did cheat on him, which then the cop let them both free to go home. These chapters maybe not seem like much, but they rap the story up and add some details that leave you guessing why Meursault doesn't feel pain towards his mother's death. Although, we don't find out till the very end, we have enough evidence right now to atleast get a feel for who killed his mother, and why he doesn't very much as so care. This level of reading is more then teens. The words aren't hard to understand, but the way they are presented is more educated and mature. You can tell this is written from awhile ago because the way of writing is so different from now, that you can tell someone from this time in day wrote it. The words are confusing at some points but we think it's confusing because we find the main character just weird. I think the writing isn't conversational, more classic.

Summary of Meeting (Jake):

Are meeting this week was very improved from last week. We actually all read this time (Katie Roberts) and we had a few good discussions of our book. We talked about how this book was very unique because the main character in our book has barely any emotions. We also thought that nothing is really happening at this time in the book. As we talked about the book Kelsey handed out her delicious brownies and lemonade capri suns. Overall, I believe that we had a very successful meeting.

Questions (Mark): 1) How can you describe Meursalt's relationships with others? We think He is very distant from other people and doesn't like to interact with them. I think after his mother died, he is branching out to others. We also think he isolates himself, it's almost like he's afraid to get close to anyone because maybe he's afraid they will leave like his mom. 2) Do you think he going to marry Marie? We think he is going to marry her, but just because she wants to. We also think think he will, but he won't want to. 3) What do you think happened to the dog? We think that the dog wandered off and couldn't survive, because of his disease and that he was put in an environment that he wasn't used to, and died. We also think the dog ran away, and died because he couldn't survive on its own. But it's better for the dog this way, it's better than being beaten. 4)Why do you think the man is so emotionally attached to his dog? We think after his wife died, he was lonely and because he couldn't control her death, he wants to control the dog and his disease. We also think he beat the dog because it was the only thing he has control over. Obviously he doesn't have control over his emotions. 5) What do you think is going to happen in the future? We think Marie and Meursalt's relationship will grow stronger and that the man will find his dog has died. We also think Marie will be in love with Meursalt, but he won't love her back. So she will leave him, and he will live alone. As for the other man, i think he will find his dog, dead.

Mark: Summary of Book Jake: Summary of Meeting Katie: Food Kelsey: Questions **
 * Jobs (12/18/09):

Questions (Kelsey): 1. Why do you think Meursalt keeps on relating things to the Maman had done them or what she did? Kelsey- His emotions were wrapped up for so long, that he can't find a way to get over the fact that his mother is dead, so his mom is always on his mind. Katie- He is so upset about his mother's death that it's easier to blame the things that are going wrong in his own life to the death of his mom. He's trying to cope with his feelings and blaming other people is the easiest way for him right now. 2. After Raymond had gotten knifed, what do you think made Meursalt go back on the beach? Kelsey- I think he went back to the beach not because he wanted to kill the Arab, but because he sensed danger and maybe he thought that the danger will take his mind off of his mother. Katie- He went back to the beach to get away from the thoughts of his mom and his average life. He wanted danger so he didn't have to deal with his own problems. 3. Meursalt said he wasn’t a good friend of Raymond, why do you think he killed his enemy for him? Kelsey- He might have killed him because he doesn't know how to handle his emotions and handled them poorly. Katie- I think he killed him to let out anger. He has an emotional build up in his body that he needs to. , and this how he chose to set it free. 4. What was the reason for the clerk shoving the crucifix in Meursalt’s face and keep saying that he was Christian? Kelsey- This was to persuade him to tell him information for the trial. The fact that he prayed for him and he's saying that Christ is on his side, might get information about the murder. Katie- He did what ever it took for Meursalt to admit to what he did. 5. Why do you think Meursaly shows no emotion about going to jail or being in jail? Kelsey-We think once again, he doesn't know how to show and handle his emotions and maybe he thinks of being in jail as nothing. Katie- I think he is using jail as a get away from his normal life, everything reminds him of his mother. So maybe if he gets away he won't be reminded that she died everyday.

Summary of the meeting (Jake): The meeting this week went pretty well. We talked about the murder and Mersault getting questioned by the clerk. We don't know why he shot the arab dead but we are trying to figure out why he did. We think Mersault is crazy/insane. This book is really catching all of our attention. Katie brought in some really tasty cookies and colors goldfish because we are not a racist group. Overall, it was a great meeting and we can't wait to read the next 2 chapters!

**Jobs (1/8/10): Mark: Questions Kelsey: Summary of Meeting Jake: Food Katie: Summary of Book**

Questions (mark): Who is Meursault? Kelsey- Meursault is a confused character, who after the death of his mother, gets himself into situations where he is forced to bring out his emotions. Katie-Meursault is a man lost within himself. He is confused and deeply misses his mother even though he won't show it. He falls into lust with Marie and was going to marry her before he was sent to jail. He gets stuck in a lot of bad situations where he has to deal the best he can.

how is the book going to end? Kelsey- I think Meursault is going to get out of jail, but is not going to marry Marie because she has moved on. Katie- Well, we won't know till the end. But i think he is going to marry Marie and live without thinking of his mother anymore.

who is going to die next? Kelsey- If some people don't agree with the trial verdict, they will go after Meursault and kill him. Katie- Like before i wouldn't know but i think Meursault will be the next to go after his trial.

What do you think the juries conclusion is going to be? Kelsey- I think they are going to release him out of jail Katie- I think they will set him free if he promises to take therapy.

Do you think Mersault and his wife are going to get back together? Kelsey- No i do not, because i think Marie is going to move on. Katie- Yes, i think Marie is going to wait for him.

Summary of Book (Jake): Meursault is now in jail in the second chapter. Marie tries visiting him, but she is informed that she may no longer see him for she is not married to him. Meursault reads to keep sane. When he gets out of jail he is on trial. They ask if he ever cried over his mother's death and asked why he put her in a home. Soon after they question him he figures out that everyone in the court room hates him. Marie tries to defend him by telling the judge that he was upset and told about how they were going to get married. Thomas Perez explained how Meursault was in sorrow and mourned for quit awhile after his mother's death. In chapter four we will find out what the judge thinks of this case and what will happen to Meursault and Marie. This book just keeps getting better and all of us are excited to see what is going to happen next!

Kelsey- Summary of the Meeting

The meeting was very productive. Jake brought in the food and we ate as Mark came up with the questions. After we took a 10 minute break to eat, we discussed our opinions about the book. There was one main topic that we all felt strongly about, whether or not they are going to try Meursault guilty or not. This discussion lead us through the book club, with different questions here or there. We all agreed that prison is making him show some emotion, which is strange, for him, because we beleive that he doesn't know how to cope or show his emotions. After these discussions, it gave Mark inspiration to write the questions. We all decided to answer the questions over the weekend, even though some failed to do so. Overall, the meeting was a success in all aspects and we are all looking forward to finding out the outcome of this book.

**Jobs (1/15/10): Mark: Summary of Book Kelsey: Questions Jake: Summary of Metting Katie: Food**

Questions (Kelsey): 1) When waiting for his conviction, why do you think he payed no attention to Marie? Katie: I think he didn't want her to feel bad and see the pain in his eyes because he knew she loved him. Jake: He just didn't care about her and i don't think he even wanted her there. Kelsey: I think he was paying attention but tried to forget because he knew it wasn't going to end in his favor.

2)Why do you think that Meursault expresses and pours out all of his emotions to the priest? Katie: I think he felt comfortable enough in front of him. All of his emotions were bottled up and so he finally exploded to the priest. Jake: I think he finally needed to get it out after all of his emotions over the years were kept inside him. Kelsey: I think that his emotions were bottled up for so long that when the priest annoyed him one more time, he couldn't hold it in anymore.

3)After hearing that he was to be executed, why is it that he showed no emotion? Katie: I think he knew the end was near and like everything else in his life he didn't want to express himself. Jake: Because he went back to normal after pouring his emotions to the priest. Kelsey: I think there was no emotion to express because he understood what he did and knew what his fate was.

4) What does Meursault's idea of indifference of the world compare to the judgment of the after life? Katie:He thought nothing happened once he died. And he would rather die people hating him then nothing at all. Jake: One you get to overshadow your life and the other one is nothing happens. Kelsey: He thought you were brought on the world to live but because there was no after life there was no reason to live, where after life is the choice between heaven and hell.

5) What is the reason behind Meursault saying that everyone is going to die and it is clever to die earlier? katie:its better to die earlier because you have less to loose and less people will be hurt by it. Jake: Because if you die earlier you have less to let go. Kelsey: Because there was no after life, he felt there was no reason to live, and dieing was the easy way out of it.

Summary of Meeting-

This week meeting was the best yet of all the meetings. Katie brought in home made brownies and we all actually got along for once unlike previous meetings. Me and Katie answered Kelseys questions about the last week of The Strangers. We all agreed that the end of book was really good but confusing, we wondered if this guy was like (emo)tional because he didnt care that much about anything. He disregareded Marie, which we thought was weird too. All in all, we thought this book was pretty good and would like to read another book by Albert Camus.