The Stranger #2: What Salamano is Really Telling Meursault

            In this reading we are introduced to Salamano, an old man with an odd relationship with his dog.  He seems to be unhappy yet he is devastated when his dog goes missing.  Salamano seems to be a look into Meursault’s future.  We find out in this reading that Meursault is going to marry Marie.  When Meursault is talking with Salamano about his dog, Meursault is told that Salamano got his dog after his wife died and that “he hadn’t been happy with his wife, but he’d pretty much gotten used to her” (Camus 44).  Salamano’s tale about his marriage is supposed to warn Meursault to be careful with marriage unless he wants to end up as a lonely old man with a dog who he hates yet cannot live without.