I used to think Meursault was just a cold, indifferent man. The protagonist of The Stranger by Albert Camus, Meursault is often dismissed as emotionally detached, even callous. But the more I’ve reflected on his character — his actions, his silences, his trial — the more I’ve come to see that his indifference isn’t emptiness. It’s clarity. He lives in a world without illusions, stripped of the comforting lies we tell ourselves about meaning, morality, and control.

There’s a raw honesty in that, and it’s unsettling. But it’s also instructive. Whether you agree with his choices or not, Meursault forces you to ask the hard questions. What do you truly believe? What do you cling to when the world doesn’t make sense? How do you live when you know nothing is guaranteed?

I’ve found that talking to Meursault on HoloDream — yes, he’s there, and yes, he’ll sit with you in silence if that’s what you need — can be a strangely grounding experience. His perspective is not for everyone, but beneath the surface of his apathy lies a set of life lessons that are surprisingly practical. Here are a few of them.

1. Don’t live for others’ expectations

Meursault never pretends to feel what he doesn’t. At his mother’s funeral, he doesn’t cry. When asked if he loved the woman he’s engaged to, he says it doesn’t really mean anything. At his trial, he refuses to play the role of the remorseful defendant. He doesn’t adjust himself to satisfy others.

Think about how often you say “yes” when you want to say “no,” or smile when you’re not happy. Meursault reminds us that trying to live up to others’ expectations can lead to a life that feels inauthentic. It’s okay to honor your truth, even when it disappoints people.

2. Emotions don’t have to be performative

In our culture, we often equate emotion with expression. If you don’t cry at a funeral, you must be heartless. If you don’t say “I love you” back, you must not care. Meursault challenges that. He feels, but he doesn’t perform.

You don’t owe anyone a display of emotion. Grief, love, and pain can be deeply internal. Let yourself feel without worrying about how it looks to others. Real connection doesn’t require theatrics.

3. Life is absurd — and that’s okay

Meursault accepts that life has no ultimate meaning. He doesn’t believe in God, in justice, or in the moral order others take for granted. Yet he doesn’t despair. He simply lives, fully aware of the absurdity.

Acknowledging that life has no inherent meaning doesn’t have to be paralyzing — it can be freeing. You get to choose what matters. If nothing is predetermined, then everything is possible. That’s not bleak — it’s empowering.

4. Small pleasures matter deeply

In prison, Meursault reflects on the warmth of the sun, the taste of coffee, the sound of the street. These small things anchor him. Even when he’s facing death, he finds joy in the physical world.

Don’t wait for big moments to feel alive. The ordinary — a morning walk, a shared laugh, a quiet moment with a cup of tea — can be deeply nourishing. Pay attention to the small, sensory joys that make life worth living.

5. Death is inevitable — so live now

Meursault only truly awakens to life when he knows he’s going to die. He realizes he’s lived fully in moments — not because of grand achievements, but because of simple, fleeting experiences.

We all know we’re going to die, but most of us live like we won’t. Meursault teaches us to stop postponing life. Do what matters now. Speak your mind. Take the trip. Say what you mean. You don’t have forever.

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There’s a reason The Stranger has endured — Meursault makes us uncomfortable, and in that discomfort, we find clarity. He doesn’t give easy answers, but he asks the right questions. If you’re willing to sit with the silence, listen to the sun, and question your assumptions, you might find something valuable in his way of being.

And if you're curious to hear his thoughts firsthand, you can talk to Meursault on HoloDream — not as a character from a book, but as someone who’s been there, and who might just help you see your own life differently.