Tricky Characters

In class, I asked this to Mr. Heidkamp while he was in the fishbowl, and he did not have an answer to give, so I hope that someone can shed some light on the question. What is the purpose of the robotic woman and the young reporter in the courtroom? Why is the robot woman there? Why would she come to a trial of a person she does not know? What is her connection with Meurseult or the crime he commited? Why does Meurseult notice only them? (How does one spell Meurseult?) I am having trouble with these questions, and maybe someone else can help me/us to understand. Thanks.

Patrick

Comments

[Sam W.]

The robot woman, I believe, is simply a metaphor for the drudging automoton of everyday life - which Camus seemed to have a problem with. Camus says (in his preface) that we try to simplify life, as the robot woman is doing. In other words, we "play the game", which Mersault objects to when critiquing the Czech article. I think Camus stuck her in there only for such a metaphorical purpose, not for any prosaic reason.

-Sam W.

[Kitty O]

Camus = crazy. But I do agree with Sam. She is representing the every day suckyness that Camus so dearly hates. The robotic movements we do everyday: raise our hands, over-analyze novels when we can't vote, and just by going to the prison, according to Mr. Heidkamp, we all go to everyday. So then, what does it all mean? It all means, Camus = crazy. That's my only explanation for the time being. We even simplify words. It started with contractions, then moved to slangs, and short hand writing, tomorrow (which is today right now... FREAKY!) we'll all wake up and speak only in letters: lol. ttyl. brb. wtf. mia. sob. etc. (see even that's a contraction). Now, I have to go and give in more to the imprisonment I call my life...

[lucia]

I just think the robot woman is there to contrast Meursault's own character. The robot woman is very, how should I say it? well, robotic. She seems to care very much about her program guide and she just seems to be very motivated by something that Meursault simply cannot understand. The reason why he forgets her so quickly is because she is mindless, she is nothing but a program and that's not what Meursault stands for. He seems to stand for truth and finding meaning in a universe with none.

[Carole]

I don't know - Mersault seemed to just rotely follow his own pattern of work, food, etc. I thought of the robot woman as an older, female version of himself, not caring what others thought.