In part 1 of the stranger name specific evidence that show hedonism based off Meursault.

Meursault, the protagonist of the novel is depicted as a worldly hedonist who only find pleasure in physical aspects of life. However in part two of the novel, Meursault undergoes a drastic change. He focuses less on the physical factors of life, and becomes more aware of his inner self, along with his own psychology. There are three main areas in part two that shows evidence of a transformation from part one. One is transformation in Meursault's response to Authority, another is the change in how he spends his time, and lastly, Meursault shows change in his relationships. Through these three main areas of support for Meursault's transformation, one can clearly see Meursault's extreme change. Meursault's change is greatly accredited to his incarceration.

With his freedom stripped away from him, Meursault is force to survive in prison by utilizing his mind. As a result, Meursault starts to reject his old style of living that was in part one, and adapt to his new environment. These adaptations manifested a Meursault that is more honest and truthful to what he believes in.

According to the absurdist, religion is constructed by man in an attempt to create meaning to a senseless existence. Acceptance of religion, of the possibility of an afterlife, would mean that man effectively escapes death. This is a destructive belief, as only the realization and acceptance of impending death allows man to live to his fullest. The Stranger would condemn this, and at one point, the novel’s hero directly accuses a chaplain of "living like a dead man." Refuting the "no atheists on fox holes" claim, this character challenges the social construct of religion even before his own death, refusing to "waste any last minutes on God."