While "The Stranger" doesn't explicitly employ dramatic irony in the traditional sense, where the audience knows something the characters don't, there are moments where the reader's understanding of Meursault's character and the world he lives in creates a sense of dramatic tension.
Here's how:
1. The Narrator's Detachment: Meursault's seemingly emotionless narration, his detached observations of events and people, creates a sense of dramatic irony. The reader becomes aware of the social and moral norms he is violating, creating a tension between Meursault's indifference and the expectations of the society he lives in.
2. Misinterpretations of Meursault's Motives: Throughout the trial, the court, the jury, and the public struggle to understand Meursault's actions and motives. Their interpretations are often based on assumptions and prejudices, highlighting the gap between Meursault's internal reality and the external perception of him. This creates a sense of dramatic irony as the reader is privy to Meursault's actual thoughts and feelings, which are often at odds with the court's interpretations.
3. The Focus on the Superficial: The novel's focus on mundane details and insignificant events (like the weather or the taste of coffee) creates a sense of dramatic irony. While these details seem trivial on the surface, they expose the shallowness and absurdity of the world Meursault inhabits, where his actions are judged by societal norms rather than his internal experience.
4. The Absence of a Clear "Truth": Meursault's lack of remorse, his indifferent demeanor, and his philosophical questioning of societal values leave the reader wondering about the "truth" of the situation. His perspective challenges the reader's assumptions and forces them to confront the complexities of human nature and the meaning of life, creating a sense of dramatic irony as the reader grapples with the ambiguity of Meursault's actions and motivations.
In conclusion: While "The Stranger" doesn't rely on traditional dramatic irony, the novel utilizes a subtle form of it through the reader's understanding of Meursault's character and the world he lives in. This understanding creates a sense of dramatic tension and highlights the absurdity of societal norms and the complexities of human experience.