Meursault after his mom dies: 😐
Meursault after the same guy asks him to assist him in getting an ex over: 😐
Meursault after watching said guy physically abusing his ex: 😐
Meursault after killing a guy: 😐
Seems like Meursault is the most nonchalant guy on the planet. His lack of affect for everything that occurs around him gives the implication that Camus is trying to depict a neurodivergent character (although he is still very guilty in the events that occur: he did shoot a guy four times after he died for no reason). Nevertheless, his unique perception of the world highlights the existentialism in the novel.
Meursault himself says that he can either stay or not stay at the beach, as every decision leading up to him pulling the trigger was his own, and no outside influence intervened. He was free to forge his own path the whole time. To make sure even morals don't affect him, Camus likely characterized Meursault in a way that "not caring" is typical for him. It highlights the unbound nature of freedom that he has. Realistically with his mindset, he may well just do anything - and this probably falls further to absurdism when we consider how other characters consider Meursult's actions.
The Jury tries so hard to justify Meursault's reason for taking a life he does not recognize that there is no reason, which is the same thought process that the reader goes through as this event occurs.
As more of the novel unfolds, Camus's philosophy will unwind further as well, as it has so far, very bluntly. Too blunt to the point that none of the characters are likable... or maybe that's the point, but it does make the book far more boring. I really just don't care about the stakes.
Me when Meursault got arrested because I just don't care about him at all:
