Question

1. on page 91, meursaults lawyer says, \and here we have a perfect reflection of this entire trial; everything is true and nothing is true!\ what theme does this statement develop?

○ a. the search for truth is ultimately pointless.
○ b. the search for truth leads to profound clarity.
○ c. the search for truth is an innate human desire.
○ d. the search for truth is simple and straightforward.

1. reread the following passage from page 85:

\one of the reporters, however, much younger than the others, wearing gray flannels and a blue tie, had left his pen lying in front of him and was looking at me. all i could see in his slightly lopsided face were his two very bright eyes, which were examining me closely without betraying any definable emotion. and i had the odd impression of being watched by myself.\
why does camus include this detail in his description of meursaults trial?
○ a. to highlight the communal support meursault receives
○ b. to highlight meursaults unemotional disposition
○ c. to point out the absurdity of meursaults trial
○ d. to downplay meursaults guilt

Explanation:

1. The statement "everything is true and nothing is true" implies that truth is not straightforward. If everything is true and nothing is true, then the search for a single, definitive truth is difficult. Option A ("The search for truth is ultimately pointless") aligns with this. Options B ("leads to profound clarity"), C ("innate human desire"), and D ("simple and straightforward") do not match the paradoxical nature of the statement.
2. The passage describes a reporter examining Meursault "closely without betraying any definable emotion" and Meursault having "the odd impression of being watched by myself". This lack of emotional response (from both the reporter and Meursault's perception) highlights Meursault's unemotional disposition. Option B is correct. Option A ("communal support") is not shown here. Option C ("absurdity of trial") is not the focus of this detail. Option D ("downplay guilt") is not indicated by this description.

Answer:

1. A. The search for truth is ultimately pointless.
2. B. to highlight Meursault’s unemotional disposition.