Sincerely Dangerous?

When we first started watching the movie Trust, I could only vaguely point out the similarities between The Stranger and the movie. Sure, Matthew and Meursault both seemed to be indifferent to many things, and Matthew did remind me of Salamano's dog in the way they were both being mistreated and pushed around by their "owners". But one line from the movie really struck me, and I understood the relationship between Meursault and Matthew. When Maria was talking to the nurse at the diner, Maria described Matthew as "dangerous but sincere". The nurse then said "Sincerely dangerous." Maria corrected her by saying "No, he's dangerous *because* he's sincere". I then found the connection between Meursault and Matthew. Both of them are very honest people, and it can get them into trouble with others. With Meursault, he never played games and even while on trial, he would not even tell a white lie that he regretted his decision. Their honesty is something to admire, and fear at the same time.

Comments

[Bernie]

As Camus says, Meursault refuses to lie.

[Emma B.]

I agree, I think that line in the movie perfectly represents the connection between Matthew and Meursault. In The Stranger, Meursault's honesty and lack of emotion both cause society to reject him and fear him to an extent. In fact, the prosecutor in Meursault's trial even call's Meursault's lack of emotion and heart "an abyss threatening to swallow up society" (101). This is paralleled in the movie Trust in that the "dangerous but sincere" Matthew is seen in society as trouble, danger, and disobedience, when really he is simply refusing to compromise his beliefs and to express emotions he doesn't feel.

[Alicia H.]

I also agree. I think both pieces of literature are giving the message that sincerity cannot survive in society, and that line is the epitome of that message.

[Margo T]

This is almost exactly what I wrote my blog post on. I completely agree though they are both very honest people and many people may not realize it but they're afraid of the truth and a lot of people would rather be lied to without knowing it.