The Myth of Sisyphus
Author in Depth: Albert Camus The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) Translated from the French by Justin O’Brien "Thus I draw from the absurd three consequences, which are my revolt, my freedom, and my passion. By the mere act of consciousness I transform into a rule of life what was an invitation to death—and I refuse suicide. I know, to be sure, the dull resonance that vibrates throughout these days. Yet I have but a word to say: that it is necessary." *** After reading The Stranger (1942), I was left with a sense that the novel described a state of being and a way of interacting with the world, as embodied by his character Meursault. Interestingly, I felt that it raised a question–or, posited a point of view–that was offered but not explained. A question without an answer of what anyone is to do with the absurdist life. I was heartened to read Sartre’s 1947 essay An Explication of The Stranger , which echoed my view, and promised that Camus’ volume of essays (perhaps one long essa
