"Camus defended the dignity and goodness of the individual" Discuss this assertion in relation to the novel.

The Outsider is a novel that has had controversy surrounding it since its publication. Critics and casual readers have had opinions ranging from it being a book of immense importance for the current society which they live in to it being a somber book with a nihilist as the protagonist. These are the types of comments that Meursault would take into consideration, not judging them but accepting them, for he respected their beliefs. Even though …

…to their being based on belief rather than perception. Camus also displays the absurdity of human society as someone who lives an entire life free of prejudice and basing his beliefs entirely on reality and truth is condemned as an outsider to society and is unable to coexist with others normally. Nonetheless he shows us a person that recognizes the choices and goodness that every individual is capable of when acting with true personal intentions.