The Stranger Paragraph 2

In The Stranger, Camus utilizes vivid imagery to exaggerate the disconnection between Meursault's physical actions and wavering intentions. As the story reaches its climax, Camus steers away from his typical short sentence structure to build the intensity which gives the reader a strong sense of anticipation. "All I could feel were the cymbals of sunlight crashing on my forehead and, indistinctly, the dazzling spear flying up from the knife in front of me" ( Camus 59 ). Meursault's vivid physical descriptions parallel his disregard for his own mental and emotional actions. The "crashing" and "flying" subtly foreshadow the climax. Camus unique ability to create an intense atmosphere contrasts Meursault's relaxed, uncaring, nature. "My whole being tensed and I squeezed my hand around the revolver" ( Camus 59 ). Rather than initially feeling shock or remorse, Meursault only describes his actions. The seemingly out of body description of his actions conveys Meursault's true disconnection from his emotions. At an important point in the story, Camus appropriately utilizes long, vivid, sentences to hook the reader for part two of the novel.

The Stranger Paragraph 1

In Camus' The Stranger, fragmented sentence structure reflects Meursault's dull and self-centered personality. Amongst the tragic loss of his mother, Meursault merely comments on the devastating event rather than expressing the typical sadness brought on by the death of the one that brought him Iife. "Maman died today. It was hot" (Camus 3). Acknowledging the death of his mother then immediately changing the subject to his own discomfort powerfully portrays Meursault's selfishness. The physical heat causing Meursault to be uncomfortable contrasts his cold-hearted nature. When a few of Maman's close friends are brought in to mourn the death Meursault continuously analyzes them instead of embracing the love they all shared for his mother. "They got up. I was tired" (Camus 12). As the group may have been tired due to the long mourning of Maman, Meursault is only worried about being tired to his lack of sleep. Camus effectively sets Meursault's characteristic early in the novel by the short, yet revealing, sentence structure.