Are you going somewhere with this? That is what comes to mind whenever we read absurd literature such as The Stranger. I find it contradictory that the point of the book is that nothing has a point. The book just further proves that all people must define and label everything. People are uncomfortable if an individual lives without that label. In literature, this is seen throughout The Stranger when the court tries to define Meursault. He is essentially condemned because he did not fit any of the molds society had created. Therefore, he must be punished. However, on the less extreme, in everyday life there are examples of people rejecting the lack of a label or definition. This is especially prevalent in high school relationships. Everyone has to know if someone is "officially" dating another person leading to the ever popular saying "its not real until it's facebook-official". Therefore, the only reasonable aspect of absurd literature is it's name for it is indeed quite absurd. Human nature requires definition so the absurd will never be accepted.
Also, if such literature must exist, I think it is inadvisable to have high school seniors read it for class. Maybe younger grades that aren't as tired of high school yet. I speak for most of the seniors when I say that we are at a point where we are so ready to leave that we should not be encouraged that there is no point in making an effort. If I hear that effort is useless and life has no meaning any more, I might start believing it and stop trying. After all, whats the worst that can happen if nothing actually has meaning? Therefore, absurd literature succeeds only in living up to it's title and undermining society's values. It can be allowed to exist but does not have literary value.
