In Albert Camus’ ​The Stranger​, the author conveys the idea that freedom is a state of

mind rather than a physical existence in relation to imprisonment through the usage of paradox to

showcase the presence of two contrasting mental and physical existences and polysyndeton to

emphasize the power in finding one's own liberty.

The author utilizes paradox in this excerpt in order to demonstrate the value in finding

freedom within oneself rather than being confined by the physical existence and definition of

‘being free’. Camus begins in this excerpt by stating “once I learned how to remember things, I

wasn’t bored at all” (Camus 78). By doing so, the author immediately introduced the idea of

prioritizing the characters own thoughts as a method of achieving tranquility. Meursault finding

enjoyment when looking inwards and living almost inside of his head creates a paradox between

physical existence and a mental existence. Despite being confined in an institution, the character

is able to achieve a free state of being due to his ability to value his own thoughts and be content

with the reality he has created within his imagination. This is effective in demonstrating the

author’s intent, showing that freedom can be obtained for all when looking inwards and ceasing

to value physical embodiments of ‘freedom’. Meursault therefore redefines what he believes to

be freedom by finding it within himself and rejecting material needs. Camus later develops this

viewpoint in the passage by showing Meursault to note that “a man who has lived only one day

could easily live for a hundred years in prison” (Camus 79). By doing so, the author places a

larger importance on the ability to have memories and an imagination rather than being

physically free, because true and absolute freedom is a state of mind. Meursault uses his memory

as a coping mechanism in dealing with his imprisonment by arguing that it allows him to avoid

boredom and experience a sense of liberty. This relates to the concept of existentialism within

the character as he is able to create his own form of meaning in life through himself despite his
situation. The paradox between two existences therefore demonstrate the importance of being

able to accept a lack of physical freedom and instead find it within oneself as that is how one

achieves true liberty and tranquility.

Camus also is seen to use polysyndeton in attempts to emphasize the value in

acknowledging freedom to be a state of mind rather than a physical existence because it works as

a coping mechanism. When recounting his memories, Meursault creates a list of details such as

“a flake, a crack, or a chipped edge” (Camus 79) to display his thoughts and how doing so made

him content. The projection of his unorganized thoughts being connected through commas works

to overwhelm the reader and further demonstrate the characters’ excitement in avoiding boredom

through memory. By doing so, the character conveyed his thoughts in a rapid manner which

suggests that he is not consciously imprisoned and instead experiencing an almost out-of-body

experience which allows him to find enjoyment in his own mind. This creation of a false reality

is a coping mechanism used by Meursault to fabricate his own freedom and gain a sense of

control on his purpose in his life. The author also notes that the character began to memorize

“every piece of furniture, every object” (Camus 79). In stating this, the character further portrays

himself to have remained sane despite his confinement through living in his own imagination.

The ability to attain a sense of comfort in oneself is portrayed by the author because Camus

wants us to acknowledge that freedom can be acquired when one searches for it. Freedom and

imprisonment are therefore indifferent to one another, because as shown through Meursault, one

can gain liberty even when in confinement. Freedom is therefore a state of mind and a mental

existence as Meursault was able to develop the paradox of being imprisoned yet still feeling free.
 In conclusion, Camus argues that freedom is only a state of mental existence rather than a

physical existence and can therefore be achieved by all once an individual searches inside

themselves through the utilization of paradox and polysyndeton.