Albert Camus’ The Stranger and the essay he wrote The Myth of Sisyphus are closely linked through their exploration of existential themes, particularly the concept of absurdity. In part one of The Stranger, Meursault embodies emotional detachment as he navigates life with indifference to societal norms and expectations, reflecting the conflict between humanities search for meaning.

In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus uses the figure of Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder uphill only for it to roll back down, as a metaphor for human perseverance. Both works emphasize that while traditional narratives about purpose may be elusive or meaningless, individuals can find freedom by accepting their circumstances without seeking external validation. Ultimately, both Meursault’ acceptance of his reality and Sisyphus’ embrace of his struggle show how one can confront despair not through finding answers but by recognizing values within their own experience.