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.