both protagonists exhibit perfervid individualism--a nonconformist, go-it-alone, alienated worldview. Meursault and Siddhartha reject mainstream religious doctrine and dogma in favor of lives devoted to simple pleasures. Both go through phases where they enjoy the company of women (Siddhartha eventually abandons this). Meursault loves the ocean, while Siddhartha finds peace in the river. In both, water is a symbol for life. Both are bored by the ennui of work and see the emptiness in materialism.
