IOP Journal 1

I am currently rereading The Stranger. I looked back at my essay, as well. I'm getting the second translation from the library tomorrow. My plan so far is to read both versions of the novel, one translated by Matthew Ward and the other by Stuart Gilbert. I want to pick the two most thought-provoking passages I find, or the two that stand out to me as the most differently interpreted and analyze them. So four passages in all. I want to make a PowerPoint and present how the different translations produce different analysis and how this changes the way the reader interprets the text. If there is still time in my presentation, I'll describe how the different translations reflect the translator's style and technique, as evidenced in the introductions of both versions and on various websites online.

I have noticed that in the Ward translation, the author uses "Maman" instead of "Mother" to imply a more personal take. Also, Mersault comes off exceptionally detached and the language Ward uses portrays that. For example, Mersault says about killing the Arab, "I thought about it for a minute and said that more than sorry I felt kind of annoyed" (70) . This is just one of the numerous examples in the novel where Mersault is describe as emotionless and detached. I wonder if in Gilbert's translation, Mersault has more humanity to him. Does he portray more emotion? Is he sensitive? Does he react more to Maman's death? Does Gilbert's style of writing make Mersault seem remorseful of killing the Arab? I read somewhere that Camus admired the Americanized style of writing that is evident in books like The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. I think it was in an intro to the book or something, but Ward talked about how he translated it the way it was because he wanted the reader to understand Camus' admiration of the "couldn't care less" style of writing that many American authors of the time used. He made Mersault very careless and dehumanized to portray that. I'll have to see how Gilbert does it.