The students had strong feelings about the main character, Mersault, and his take on life. They discussed his detachment from events in his life and his lack of empathy toward others. They waxed philosophical about other characters and situations in Albert Camus’s novella, “The Stranger,” as they compared their thoughts and enjoyed some sweets together.

This was happening in the Pine Bush High School library during a meeting of the World Literature Club which meets on the last Thursday of the month.

 

 

Librarian Rob Pawson and Rebecca Carr are the club advisors but the club is steered by the students themselves. Mr. Pawson started the club last year when students in Chris Passudetti’s AP English 11 class asked him if would lead a book discussion group that focused on an elite level of literature and world authors.

“I agreed,” said Mr. Pawson, “and since then we have read Kafka, Dostoevsky, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen and now Camus.”

It’s run like a college literature class. The group chooses a book – in September it was The Stranger – then they discuss it at their meeting. The students choose which books to read and the discussion is organic. While Mr. Pawson and Ms. Carr participate and ask some pretty thoughtful questions – they also provide cookies for the group –  the entire process is driven by the students.

 

 

On this day, the students discussed the main character of the book, Mersault, who deals with the death of his mother in an emotionally detached way. He is willing to marry someone even though he is not in love with her. He feels actions and experiences are meaningless. Mr. Passudetti joined in with the group for this discussion, in part, according to Mr. Pawson, because he loves “The Stranger.”

When the possibility of the character’s own death comes closer to reality, he finds comfort in the fact that everything and everyone dies.

The students talked of old age and the fact there is no cure for it. They discussed the old dog in the story and his disappearance – animals separate from their humans when they are going to die as an act of love, they said.

Each month, the students also color a photo of the author and hang them in the library.

 

Appropriately enough, in October, the group has chosen to read Edgar Allan Poe – and the discussion will take place on Halloween!

Any students interested in joining the group, contact Mr. Pawson or Ms. Carr or just show up for the discussion.