The Sun in The Stranger by Albert Camus Essay - 804 Words

From page fifty-eight to fifty-seven of Albert Camus’s The Stranger he uses the relentless Algerian sun as a motif for the awareness of reality that pursues the main character, Meursault, throughout the passage. When each motif appears in the novel such as this passage, Meursault’s actions change. This exemplifies that the light, heat, and sun trigger him to become debilitated or furious. Albert Camus sets up this motif in the passage to indicate to the reader that this motif shows the major themes of this novel. This motif shows Meursault’s emotion, how the imagery of weaponry affects Meursault’s actions, how the sun is a representation of society, and how the sun weakens Meursault. Camus’s motif of the sun illustrates Meursault’s†¦show more content†¦When it becomes clear that if he stayed any longer there would be conflict, Meursault knows that all he has to do is turn around. All he has to do is walk away, But the whole beach, throbbing in the sun, was pressing on my back (58). He takes a few steps towards the Arab, the glare of the sun becoming physically painful, and after a few more steps the Arab draws his knife. The sun flashes off the knife, blinding Meursault, his sweat in his eyes preventing him from seeing, the light scorching and stabbing at his eyes. The trigger gave (58) and it was all over for Meursault. The sun’s power over Meursault, shown through the strong imagery, forces Meursault to fire the revolver and kill the Arab. What makes it worse; he fires four more times to make sure the sun is dissipated for good. The murder of the Arab is used by Camus to compare the sun and society. Society oppresses and overpowers those who refuse to assimilate and embrace normality. Meursault is the epitome of abnormality and is thus the main target of societys, of the suns, wrath. â€Å"The sun was the same as it had been the day I’d buried Maman, and like then, my forehead especiall y was hurting me..† (58-59). The day he buried his mother he did not cry rejecting the norms of society. Not crying at his mother’s funeral caused anger and confusion which the motif of the sun burns onShow MoreRelatedEssay about A Stranger in the Sun by Albert Camus1282 Words   |  6 PagesIn The Stranger, author Albert Camus involves the sun throughout the novel in order to display mans vulnerability. He presents the sun as a powerful, unfortunate influence on main character, Meursault and describes him as a simple minded, easily influenced, mellow individual. The Main influence in Meursaults’ life is the sun. Meursault is bothered by it however he does not make much of an attempt to stop or ignore it. He simply permits the suns heat, accepting it and affirms his personality. BecomingRead MoreThemes of The Stranger by Albert Camus1439 Words   |  6 Pages Is there any logical meaning of living? Is life worth living? These are the main questions that Albert Camus attempts to answer throughout the novel The Stranger. 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