Why are there so few guests at the funeral?
Answer: Monsieur Mersault has no friends or family.
Explanation:
Monsieur Mersault is the protagonist in Albert Camus' novel "The Stranger," who is portrayed as emotionally detached and disconnected from society. Throughout the story, Mersault exhibits a lack of meaningful relationships with others, including friends and family. This detachment ultimately leads to very few guests attending his funeral.
Mersault's indifference and apathy towards human connections are evident from the beginning of the novel. When his mother passes away, he shows little emotion and seems more concerned about the physical discomfort caused by attending her funeral. His lack of grieving for his mother sets the tone for the rest of the story, highlighting his emotional detachment.
Furthermore, Mersault's interactions with others throughout the novel also demonstrate his isolation. He prefers solitude and does not actively seek out companionship or friendship. His relationships are superficial and lack depth, contributing to the absence of close friends or family members who would attend his funeral.
In addition, the religious funeral and the fact that it is held on a weekday may have limited the number of attendees. However, the primary reason for the few guests at Mersault's funeral is his own lack of meaningful connections with others. His solitary nature and emotional detachment result in a solitary end, with no close friends or family members mourning his passing.