The Stranger #3

            The outside world plays a major role in Meursault’s decisions. He constantly notes the environment around him, describing how it makes him feel. In particular, Meursault is impacted by the sun. Walking on the beach with Masson, Meursault “was absorbed by the feeling that the sun was doing [him] a lot of good” (50). Initially, the sun seems to be a positive influence on Meursault’s behavior and mental state. He is not critical of Masson’s speaking mannerisms because the sun fills him with a sense of contentment, which demonstrates that the sun appears to have a direct effect on how Meursault perceives his emotions. However, the effect of the sun is not always the same. Meursault follows Raymond down the beach after the knife fight with the Arab: “By now the sun was overpowering. It shattered into little pieces on the sand and water” (55). Raymond has just been in a fight that could have ended in his death, and Meursault has just witnessed it. Naturally, the atmosphere is a bit tense. Meursault interprets the sun as “overpowering,” describing how it “shatter[s]” on the beach. The outside environment seems to reflect the emotions that Meursault should be expressing; he should be overwhelmed and slightly “shattered” inside given the circumstances. Instead, the environment elicits emotions that Meursault should be engendering himself. When he sees the Arab on the beach, Meursault knows he can turn back, “[b]ut the whole beach, throbbing in the sun, was pressing on [his] back” (58). The sun compels him forward, yet the burning continues. Likewise, the glint of the Arab’s knife in the sun cuts at Meursault, driving him forward to relieve the uncomfortable sensation. The sun and the Arab force Meursault to shoot, almost as if he does not have any choice whatsoever. The desire to shoot is described as a physical need of self-preservation. In the end, however, Meursault decides to shoot four more times at the body. By doing so, Meursault rebels against nature because he consciously acts on his own accord. Even though he is still following what is initially pressured to do, by choosing to shoot again, he demonstrates his control over his actions.