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Merseault Describes Salamano
Merseault describes in detail the relationship between Salamano and his dog. This illustrates his observational skills by the detail he goes into such as when describing the dog as "sort of taken on his master's on his master's stooped look, muzzle down, neck straining". Mersault recognizes that this is a love-hate relationship which outlines his ability to perceive social situations. -
Merseault watches Dog and Salamano
Mersault says hello to Salamano while he is clearly abusing his dog. This shows Merseault's hands off approach to situations of conflict. Instead of intervening, he would rather watch and let the situation play out before him because he doesn't feel that the event will affect him in a significant way. When Raymond asks if Meursault thought "it was disgusting", he responds no. This shows again Mersault's lack of care for the normal response in society. He doesn't feel empathy for other's values. -
Mersault is stone cold to Salamano
Salamano knocks on Meursault’s door, asking what Meursault thinks will happen to his pet. Meursault tells him about the pound, and suggests that he look there. He's cold and expressed no sympathy. But he's rational and this is what defines Merseault. Salamano provides the contrast because he is emotional and desperate while Mersault is collected, cold, and detached. -
Merseault hears Salamano Crying
Merseault thinks of Maman when Salamano is crying over the dog. This is the same situation where he feels like he should care about something (by assosciating the loss with Salamano's crying), but the short blunt phrase that doesn't go into detail shows how the loss meant little to him. Seeing Salamano cry was simply a signification of what he should feel, but in reality does not at all. -
Salamano says he knows Mersault loves his mother
Salamano, here, is depicted as the person who attempts rationalize Merseault's actions with his own values. What he does not realize is that his own philosophies can't be applied to Mersault. Mersault does not actually love his mother, yet salamano is determined he does. This shows how people who attempt to understand Mersault do not truly understand him. They simply impose their own thinking about him while their conclusions are not true. -
Salamano Testifies at Trial
Salamano tries to testify that Meursault was a good guy but the audience seems to disregard his comments. Salamano recalls that "[Merseault] had been good to his dog" and attempts to rationalize Meursault's actions about his mom. Merseault was only indifferent towards both of these things. This shows people's misinterpretation of Merseault. Merseault wasn't good to the dog or his mother. Instead, by remaining unpolarized, his true qualities weren't obvious to those around him.