Discussion of the Sun in the Albert Camus Novel "The Stranger"

The sun is a powerful and all too-often overlooked symbol in many novels. It is usually seen as a guiding light in the dark or as hope in times of despair. In the Albert Camus story, The Stranger, the sun represents a new element. Camus, a very unconventional thinker, twisted the common meaning of the sun into a painful image. The sun is on constant vigil of Meursault?s every action. Ironically, the bright light of the sun clouds his thoughts and judgment. The sun is personified to represent society, which throughout the story frustrates, angers and eventually takes control over Meursault?s life.
With the opening of the book, Meursault is faced with the death of his mother. He must attend the overnight vigil of her body the day before her burial. The next day, Meursault is to walk her body to her gravesite, accompanied by the priest and others assisting in the burial. …