The World is an Apple is a short story by Albert Camus, first published in 1957. It tells the story of a poor, young man named Meursault who lives in Algiers, a city in Algeria. Meursault is a detached and emotionless character, who is more concerned with the physical aspects of the world around him than with abstract concepts or ideas.
The title of the story, "The World is an Apple," is a metaphor for Meursault's perspective on life. For him, the world is simply a collection of objects and sensations, rather than a place of meaning or purpose. He is not interested in the moral or philosophical implications of his actions, and he does not seem to care about the consequences of his choices.
One of the most striking aspects of Meursault's character is his lack of emotion. He does not seem to feel any joy, sorrow, or compassion, and he rarely displays any strong feelings or reactions to the events that occur around him. This detachment is exemplified in the way that he reacts to the death of his mother. Rather than grieving or showing any sense of loss, Meursault simply accepts her death as a fact of life and goes about his business as usual.
This lack of emotion is also evident in the way that Meursault interacts with others. He does not form close relationships or connections with anyone, and he does not seem to care about the feelings or well-being of others. He is indifferent to the suffering of others, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his own interests.
Despite his detachment from the world around him, Meursault's perspective is not completely cynical or nihilistic. He does not believe that life has no meaning or purpose, but rather that meaning is something that must be found and created by individuals themselves. This is evident in his final thoughts before he is executed, when he reflects on the beauty of the sky and the stars and finds a sense of peace and acceptance in the face of his own death.
Overall, The World is an Apple is a thought-provoking and deeply introspective story that invites the reader to consider the nature of meaning and purpose in life. It challenges the reader to think about what it means to be human and to consider the ways in which we relate to the world and to others. Through the character of Meursault, Camus invites us to question our own assumptions and beliefs about the world and to consider the implications of our actions and choices.
