When Albert Camus' novel, The Stranger, was first published in 1942, many readers didn't know what to make of Meursault, the emotionally disconnected protagonist of Camus' story. His absurd views confused the masses who desired meanings behind actions. But it wasn't just readers who didn't understand Meursault. The other characters in Camus' novel also failed to understand the character's philosophy. Ultimately, Camus's title The Stranger is an apt characterization of Meursault who is separated by a “glass wall” from friends, society, and even himself. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Over the course of the novel, it becomes apparent that Meursault is not truly understood by anyone, not even his closest friends. For example, Meursault's neighbor Salamano, in an unwarranted attempt to comfort his friend, states that Meursault, "must have been very sad since Maman died... he knew that [Meursault] loved her very much" (45) . To the reader, the idea that Meursault had any affection for his mother is an absurd thought since he showed no sign of sadness after his mother's death let alone any emotion. In fact, Meursault doesn't even know his mother's age, responding to his boss' questions that she was “about sixty” (25). Described as cold and insensitive even to those who know him best, Meursault is clearly disconnected from those closest to him. Furthermore, people who feel they know him, like Salamano, misjudge and try to impose their own interpretations of events to explain Meursault's actions. This method used by Camus can be characterized as a “glass wall”. Like a window, those on one side can observe what is happening on the other, but often the true meaning is lost. Salamano gets to see his neighbor attend his mother's funeral, but ultimately misinterprets that Meursault is grieving. Meursault's fiancée, Marie Cardona, also does not truly understand the man she loves, which is illustrated when he proposes marriage: That evening Marie came to see me and asked me if I wanted to marry her. . . I told her it made no difference to me and that we could do it if she wanted. Then he wanted to know if I loved him. I replied like last time, that it didn't mean anything, but that I probably didn't love her. “So why get married, then?” he said. I explained to her that it didn't really matter and that if she wanted we could get married. (41)Marriage, arguably one of the most important decisions in a person's life, hardly receives a reaction from Meursault when Marie suggests it. Furthermore, Marie, his girlfriend, the person he is most intimate with, obviously doesn't understand him. This exchange is a clear testament to how distant and misunderstood Meursault is even by his closest companions, making him truly an outsider. Furthermore, to the rest of society, Meursault is a stranger. At the beginning of the novel, Meursault gazes through his window at the street below: a divine, detached figure observing from afar. Observing people "backing away from their walks" and children "crying or falling behind", he never makes a move to interact with them - even when "several girls, whom [he] knew, waved to [him]" (24) . Another reason why Meursault is alien to society is in his actual physicality. Camus' title, coincidentally, was translated as “The Stranger,” which is what Meursault, a Frenchman, represents in Algiers. It has no ties to the earth, nor to any place, in fact. This is evident when he is offered a job promotion at.