Albert Camus' L'Étranger begins with an iconic, detached opening line that immediately highlights the protagonist Meursault's emotional indifference and sets the stage for the novel's central theme of the absurd. The narrative follows Meursault's life, driven by sensory experiences rather than traditional morality, as he navigates a world that he views as meaningless. Key elements to consider include the protagonist’s lack of emotional engagement, the intense focus on physical sensations, and his eventual confrontation with a society that demands artificial sentiment.

The story explores the conflict between human desire for meaning and the indifference of the universe, with themes further explored in the companion essay, The Myth of Sisyphus .