keeping hands where you can see them
meursault and outis contrast in a very interesting way, and i hope cantos x–xi explore that (expanded thoughts below)
first of all, the odyssey was written in the 8–7th century BCE, and the stranger was published in 1942. they are the oldest and youngest sinner source materials by far.
and this checks out when you look at their flaws. odysseus is so deeply human—he's driven by homesickness and hubris, which has made his story resonate over thousands of years. meursault, on the other hand, lacks what's perceived as human; he doesn't express his grief, his love, or remorse. he's a very contemporary character.
odysseus is familiar with using deception as a weapon, where meursault refuses to impart anything but the truth.
to top it all off: outis is a staunch leader, and only follows with an ulterior motive (presumably), whereas meursault is pretty much the token follower of lcb with no discernable imperatives of his own.
now for their sins. odysseus has killed hundreds, even sacrificed some of his own men, all in the name of a personal purpose. love, duty, etc. again, meursault is just the opposite: he killed one man, and with no driving motive at all.
odysseus lives in a universe of gods and prewritten fate, and meursault in a universe of the absurd and meaningless.
so given that canto x will certainly have some breadcrumbs about outis before canto xi, i really hope project moon decides to toy around with their dynamic a bit! if you read all the way to here, thanks :)
also yes, outis's left hand represents whatever ties she might have to the index...i'm so scared for canto xi haha



















