What does the light mean in The Stranger?
In his novel “The Stranger,” Albert Camus uses the relentless Algerian sun as a metaphor for the awareness of reality that pursues his main character, Meursault, throughout the novel. The plot is fashioned around three deaths: those of Meursault’s mother, the Arab, and Meursault himself.
What is the significance of the sun in The Stranger?
In The Stranger, the sun represents the indifference of the universe. It is the sun shining in his eyes that allegedly motivates Meursault to murder the Arab man.
How does heat affect Meursault?
The sun’s heat and glare are enough for Meursault to kill a man, just as in the whole of life, there is no greater meaning there. Ultimately, the sun appears to encourage Meursault, who is already a rather passive fellow to begin with, to react to the world with the same indifference as reality itself.
What does the last line of The Stranger mean?
The final line of the book is meant to show that Meursault has now fully accepted his outsider status. Throughout the novel, Meursault has been at odds with society. He is indifferent towards just about everything. He does not cry at his mother’s funeral. He does not love his girlfriend.
What does water symbolize in the stranger?
The trip to the sea represents change in Meursault’s life. This change is a deviation to his normal routine, which will put him under the influence of others. The reason that the sea is chosen is that it in itself represents chanage.
What does red represent in the stranger?
The color red is used when Meursault is angry or when he feels lust. He described Marie’s red dress when he wanted her and he described the Arab at the beach right before they fought. The color green is used when he’s happy.
How many times did he shoot the Arab?
When Meursault steps toward the cool water of the spring, the Arab draws his knife. The sunlight reflects off the blade and directly into Meursault’s eyes, which are already stinging with sweat and heat. Meursault fires the gun once. He pauses and then fires four more times into the Arab’s motionless body.
What kind of person is Meursault?
Meursault is a detached figure who views and describes much of what occurs around him from a removed position. He is emotionally indifferent to others, even to his mother and his lover, Marie. He also refuses to adhere to the accepted moral order of society.
What role does heat play in the stranger?
Heat symbolizes the indifference of the universe towards human life. The sun’s blazing intensity without regard for bodily comfort or peace of mind stands for the general disregard the natural world has for humanity. Thus, human life is essentially meaningless and no higher or deeper order should be looked for.
What does the weather represent in the stranger?
Throughout the novel, heat acts as an antagonistic force for Mersault. The weather is hot on the day of his mother’s funeral, and the courtroom is stiflingly hot when Mersault is tried for the Arab’s murder. As a result, heat becomes associated with death and the absurdity of life in general.
What does the sun make Meursault do?
The sun is the motivator behind Meursault’s actions. The sun and the heat cause Meursault to walk toward the spring where the Arab was lying down. Meursault fires one time at the Arab, then fires four more times at the motionless body.