Short Commentary on Meursault's indifference in "The Stranger"

Typified by seeming indifference, the hero of "The Stranger" is initially presented as a character that is apathetic to society, his surroundings, and in addition, his own existence. This behavior consequently leads to a bloody murder that eventually is the inexorable result of Meursault's own death. As a stranger to society as well, Camus' hero is completely listless to many events which society would normally consider to be significant or lugubrious occasions. For instance, only …

…the verge of death, Meursault's coldness and apathy is once again evident in another example, "At that point I yawned...I told him that I was sorry about what happened to his dog" (45). Camus is further suggesting how indifferent a person can actually be through Meursault by including this little detail. How can he really feel any sympathy for the dog if he yawned in response and was practically unmoved by his own mother's death?