The Stranger, Journal 5

The first stylistic difference I noticed in Part 2 was that the sentences were longer. In Part 1, rarely would you see a sentence with a comma, or a semicolon. Each sentence usually only contains one single idea and is short and choppy. An example of this from Part 1 is "I worked hard at the office today. The boss was nice" (25). Camus could of conjoined the sentences and made it one fluid statement, but instead  he chose to create two separate sentences. This gives the writing an almost monotonous effect. But in Part 2, the sentences are longer and much more fluid.  An example of this is "It was getting hotter, and I could see the people in the courtroom fanning themselves with newspapers, which made me a continuous low rustling sound. The presiding judge gave me a signal and the bailiff brought over three fans made of woven straws which the three judges started waving immanently" (86-87). Right away there is a noticeable difference in sentence structure and length. In Part 2, Camus seems to be using more description in his writing. He gives details about simple things like the "low rustling sound" and the "woven straws". Before it seems, Camus had Mersault focus more on the big picture, but in Part 2, Mersault notices minor details.
The biggest difference I found in Mersault was his sudden acceptance of societal norms. A prime example of this is "The policemen told me we had to wait for the judges and one of them offered me a cigarette, which I turned down" (82). Earlier on in the novel, Mersault smoked at his mother's vigil, even though it was condemned wrong by society. Now, it seems Mersault is aware of what society expects from him and he rejects the cigarette. He knows he shouldn't smoke in this certain situation and he confines to the expectations. Another example is "And again I almost thanked him. But I thought that would be ridiculous" (84). Before in Part 1, Mersault was very blunt and said whatever came to his mind, no matter how ridiculous it was. Mersault now seems to pay attention to what he says and chooses to not say anything that may be condemned different, or weird. This shows that Mersault is beginning to follow societies rules.
Mersault's behavior also seems to become more emotional. For the fist time, Mersault expresses the need to cry, when he says "For the first time in years I had this stupid urge to cry" (89-90). In Part 1, Mersault gets annoyed by people who cry or show too much emotion. It seems as if Mersault has switched roles with the minor characters, and he is now possessing qualities like being melodramatic, which are characteristics that he once despised in them.
Mersault describes the setting in a longing way, almost making the reader feel terrible for him. Mersault was always very in touch with his surroundings and showed deep appreciation for the simplicity of the city. Mersault has a desperate tone while talking about the city in Part 2. He says things like "assailed by memories of life" (104). Assail means a violent attack or a physical sensation. Mersault feels like his memories of the past are attacking him and he seems to feeling hopeless. Camus uses Mersault's description of the world to portray Mersault's desperation.