Mind–Body Conflict and Moral Consciousness: Rethinking Descartes and D. H. Lawrence in Albert Camus’ A Happy Death
International Journal of Research in English March 1, 2026 M Thommai Michael, J Jebaraj Kingsly Zechariah
An examination of Albert Camus's novel A Happy Death interprets two central characters, Patrice Meursault and Zagreus, through the ideologies of René Descartes and D. H. Lawrence. The analysis treats the novel as ethical philosophy, presenting Zagreus as a Cartesian subject and Meursault as an example of embodied consciousness drawn from Lawrence's philosophy. The story follows Meursault, who takes wealth from the wealthy cripple Zagreus after Zagreus ends his own life, and eventually comes to recognize the importance of physical objects, aligning with Lawrence's concept of blood-consciousness.