Being Job vs Being Meursault

 

Job (from the book of Job, Biblical Text) was a pious man who believed in God. He held a firm conviction that a divine force orchestrated the course of his life, guiding him through the myriad experiences that shaped his existence. Job's perspective emphasizes a fundamental principle of moral conduct: individuals who engage in virtuous actions can expect to receive rewards, while those who commit wrongful deeds will face consequences. Job held a firm belief in an afterlife filled with paradise, confident that he would reunite with his loved ones beyond death. With God as his guiding light, he never experienced a sense of solitude in this world. Job found comfort in his belief in a metaphysical entity, which helped him reconcile with the adversities he encountered throughout his life.

Meursault, the central character and narrator in Albert Camus's existentialist work, The Stranger, embodies a profound skepticism towards the existence of a higher power. He explicitly rejects the notion of God, viewing life through a lens that dismisses the concepts of divine justice and karma as mere illusions. Meursault posits that the essence of life is rooted in absurdity, suggesting that the universe operates without any predetermined laws or structures. He perceives events as occurring in a haphazard manner, akin to the erratic movements observed in Brownian motion. Meursault possesses a profound awareness of the absence of any divine presence or higher power governing the universe. He recognizes that the cosmos operates independently of any spiritual oversight, leaving him to confront the stark reality of his existence in solitude. He lives in an existential isolation and a cynical world view.

Now we can explore the question of who experienced greater happiness in life: Job or Meursault? Job lived in a realm where he felt a profound sense of security, bolstered by his unwavering faith in divine protection, even amidst the relentless trials and tribulations that beset him. Despite enduring immense suffering, including the loss of his wealth, health, and family, Job maintained a steadfast belief that his perseverance would ultimately lead to divine reward and a return to happiness. Job may have existed within a distorted perception of reality or under a guise of deception, yet he found contentment in his circumstances.

Meursault understood that the cosmos operates without predetermined laws, revealing a world where events unfold randomly and unpredictably. In this vast expanse, the notion of a savior is rendered obsolete, leaving individuals to navigate their own paths in a landscape devoid of inherent meaning. He recognized that absurdism encapsulated the essence of existence, highlighting the dissonance between humanity's quest for significance and the indifferent universe that surrounds them. This realization fostered a profound acceptance of life's inherent chaos, prompting Meursault to confront the reality that each person must ultimately rely on themselves in the face of an uncaring world.

When comparing the lives of Job and Meursault, it becomes evident that Job experiences a greater sense of happiness, while Meursault embodies a more cynical and discontented outlook. This raises a profound question about the essence of life: is it preferable to dwell in a deceptive reality filled with happiness, or to confront the harsh truths of existence, even if it leads to unhappiness?

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge