Journal #2

1) Which translator has the most literary value
I would argue that Matthew Ward's translation has the most literary value because it characterizes Mersault more than the translation by Gallimard.  Ward's translation describes Mersault more efficiently because he portrays him as being exact, and precise.  For example when Camus rights, "I'll take the two o-clock buss and get there in the afternoon.  That way I can be there for the vigil and come back tomorrow night." (3).  The way Ward characterizes Mersault, helps the reader understand his personality and thoughts.  Also, the way Camus translates helps establish a stronger tone when comparing the two translations.

2) Title The Stranger
I would title The Stranger as The Unknown.  This is because the whole novel itself is very vague, and the reader does not always know what is on Mersault's mind.  He switches from thinking about one thing to another, almost as if he cannot process something fully.  For example, when he is thinking about his Maman he is not sure when she died and says, "Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know (...) That doesn't mean anything.  Maybe it was yesterday".  Mersault seems to be trying to ignore the fact that his mother is dead, but does not show the reader exactly what he is intending.  He seems to be wondering more about something else, and is tucking his mother's death away in his mind.