Question 1:
Based on the class discussion today I have a preference towards the Matthew Ward translation. I have read passages from the french version of this book and I strongly believe that Gilbert's translation looses the quality of the emotions in the story. For example, the first word of the book is "Maman". This is literally translated to mother or mommy in english. When Gilbert begins the book with "mother" instead of the french word i believe that it has both a positive and negative effect. By saying the word in english I believe that it gives the american reader a sense of closness to Mersault because we can relate to him. However, personally I believe that this is not Camus objective. I believe that the way he write is for us to intentionally not be able to relate to him making him more interesting and giving the novel an overall hook persuading us to continue reading.
Question 2:
The Stranger was originally written in French and was called L'étranger. This literally means the stranger or the one who does not belong. Because of this I think that "The Outsider" would be a better fitting title based on later events. Mersault is described as not fitting in and does not relate to many other people. He also had a social awkwardess and seemed to be socially and emotionally removed from all of the events that were going on. He seemed as if he were on the outside of everything giving me reason to choose The Outsider for a title. However I do also believe that The Stranger can apply because his un-attached persona did give him a strange quality, one that was hard for the average reader to understand.
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