Protocole d'entente entre l'Université Laval et l'Université de Sherbrooke. / 339571\u Albert Camus (1913-1960) a produit une œuvre considérable, réfléchissant sur les problèmes de son temps par la voie du journalisme, de l’essai, de la littérature, du théâtre ou de conférences. Bien que toutes ces activités soient connues, le rapport intrinsèque entre les écrits journalistiques et l’œuvre philosophico-littéraire demeure circonscrit à l’examen de quelques thèmes ou d’extraits spécifiques. Or, depuis la parution de la plupart des textes journalistiques de Camus (1938-1956) dans les Œuvres complètes (La Pléiade, 2006-2008), il est possible de questionner les propos tenus par le journaliste, en fonction de l’originalité de leur contenu, mais aussi dans leur rapport à plusieurs de ses autres écrits. C’est ce thème du lien possible entre les articles de journaux et les essais et textes littéraires qui fait l’objet de la présente thèse. Le lien dont il est ici question s’appuie sur une lecture des articles et éditoriaux qui dévoile la structuration d’une pensée qui, partant des faits sur lesquels Albert Camus prenait position, se mettait peu à peu au diapason d’une exigence morale qui s’est non seulement maintenue au cours de ces années, mais qui s’est amplifiée jusqu’à constituer une éthique de la responsabilité. De plus, cette éthique s’est manifestée dans les prises de position philosophiques et littéraires en plusieurs occasions, ce qui permet de questionner l’influence du journalisme sur le processus créatif de Camus. Toutefois, prétendre à cette démonstration exige d’abord de vérifier en quoi Camus était un intellectuel engagé dans la défense de valeurs spécifiques. Il importe de le faire puisque Camus lui-même a, le plus souvent, désavoué tout rapport à l’engagement ou encore à l’humanisme, du moins dans le sens généralement admis de ces notions au cours de la première moitié du vingtième siècle. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc de faire valoir la nature d’un engagement intellectuel réel chez Camus, fondé sur un souci humaniste qui a donné lieu à la création d’une éthique de la responsabilité, par le biais d’une confrontation aux difficultés de la vie humaine et ce, par l’exercice du journalisme. Une éthique si prégnante qu’elle a aussi guidé le travail de philosophe et de romancier, permettant à Camus de donner du relief aux thèmes, aux histoires, ainsi qu’aux types de personnages qui ont donné lieu à plusieurs de ses livres majeurs.

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Literary criticism has traditionally associated the work of Albert Camus with a very specific conception of literature. His more "philosphical" works (namely, his essays) are thus seen as demonstrations of the "message" that his truly literary works seek to transmit. As such, Le Mythe de Sisyphe and L'Homme revolte are considered to provide the driving themes (l'Absurde and la Revolte) of the author's fictive writings. This image (that of the "romancier a message") becomes problematic, however, in face of Camus' intransigent refusal to surrender to any form of dogma. Indeed, for the author, this possibility of surrender constitutes the greatest threat to la Revolte, representing its potential capitulation into Revolution and Terror. We believe that this notion of literature as a vehicle for philosophical beliefs is precisely the concept against which Camus was fighting. / Through the theme of "le juste", or more specifically the question of how we know what is just, Camus challenges this idea of literature and the act of writing. By exposing the mechanisms of self-justification underlying all universal values (and hence of all transcendental "truths" upon which they are necessarily based) the writer reveals them to be social and discursive constructs which permit and perpetuate the imposition of norms in a given domaine, including that of literature. This study proposes to examine Camus' rapport with this element of self-justification in literature, and the ways in which he calls the latter into question.

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The aim of this thesis is to introduce a renowned French author Albert Camus and subsequently develop my own conclusion on one of his major works - The Stranger (1942). In the first part I introduce the personality of Albert Camus's in the context of philosophical history, literature and drama. I aim to explain the background of his life in the first part of the 20th century, particularly the influence of his origin in Algiers, at that time politically and culturally dominated by the French, in contrast with later residence in France itself. These influences promoted the principle of individuality in the work of Albert Camus and clearly directed him to his own interpretation of literary expression and existentialism. Further I outline the basic principles of this philosophy and I present his most important literary and dramatic works. More specifically I deal with the analysis of the novel The Stranger itself. The topic of next chapter is the presentation of Camus's selected work on the Czech as well as international stages and their specifications. In brief mention I present film adaptations as well. The second part goes in to analysing my own conclusions of The Stranger with a particular attention to the set design. This is closely related to the practical work of the thesis - designs of chosen scenes and scale models are included in the photographic documentation. I aim to explain how I use the actual text of the novel whilst adjusting its structure in relation to the stage design. Then I analyze in detail the various dramatic situations and scenes in terms of set design solutions. In short I present technical and lighting solutions of this production. Conclusion of this thesis refers to the contribution of Camus's work and its influence on the art scene of the 20th century.

Although the theme of madness has been of concern to writers of all ages, there is a perceptible change in the madness of the dramatic character of the twentieth century from that of the past. This thesis is an attempt to analyse that phenomenon as it is manifested in a number of characters of twentieth century drama. The introduction contains a brief outline of the history of madness in society, and a general discussion as to how it is reflected in literature, from Biblical times to the present. It is found that writers make little attempt to explain the madness of a literary character, other than by attributing to him specific personal reasons for his behaviour; i.e. disappointment in love. The characters of twentieth century drama however, are found to be not "mad" in the same way; their madness is linked to their relationship with the rest of society. Thus, a character who considers the rest of society mad, and acts in a way which counteracts that society, is considered mad by those around him. However, to the audience or reader, who are made to recognize the motives for his behaviour, the character is not necessarily mad, and in fact it may be, the playwright implies, that the people who accept the values of the society as absolute who are "mad." By discussing principally "madmen" of four recent dramas: Romulus der Große (1956) and Die Physiker (I962) by Friedrich Düirrenmatt, Graf Öderland (final version 196l) by Max Frisch, and Albert Camus' Caligula (1944), as well as making peripheral references to other dramas in the Conclusion, definite patterns of behaviour emerge. The "madman" is judged in ways which are not understood by his contemporaries. He is generally more intelligent, more perceptive than the other members of his society, and has perceived a truth which is hidden from others. In revolting against a society whose values he cannot accept, he is making what he considers a positive step towards improving in some way the quality of life. (In this respect he is perhaps different from "madmen" of previous literature who are presented as having chosen to opt out.) In each case the revolt fails, leading to chaos or a reimposition of the old system. Despite the failure of the revolt to achieve permanent change, each hero is found to be an idealist oblivious to the reality around him rather than a "madman." The breakdown of traditionally accepted norms such as religion, has meant that in the twentieth century there are no absolute standards of behaviour. Sanity thus becomes a relative concept. This thesis attempts to explore that nebulous and shifting area between madness and sanity as it is reflected in modern drama. / Arts, Faculty of / English, Department of / Graduate

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