Camus is often associated with the existentialist movement, whose authors convey, according to Wikipedia, "a sense of disorientation and confusion in the face of an apparently meaningless or absurd world." Find at least two places in the text where Daru confronts this apparent meaningless. Briefly summarize each passage, and answer the following questions for both:
1. Look closely at Camus's diction: what words does he use to characterize Daru's attitude?
2. Explain the other character(s)'s attitudes and actions in the scene. What knowledge or assumptions do they have that Daru doesn't? Do they share Daru's sense of frustration? Why or why not?
Next, answer these two general discussion questions:
1. Imagine this story were written from the perspective of Balducci or the prisoner? Would or could Camus convey a similar sense of existential frustration? Support your answer with details from the text.
2. What does each character do to cope with the meaninglessness and/or unknowability that they face? Does Camus think this strategy is effective? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
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