Sun

In chapter 6 of The Stranger, the idea that nature has the most profound effect on man’s behavior is illustrated with the sun’s positive nourishment on Meursault at the beginning of the chapter and it’s increasingly oppressive superiority over Meursault toward the end. The sun’s dominating influence eventually leads Meursault to kill the Arab out of shear escape. At the beginning of the chapter, the sun has an almost rejuvenating and doting …

…It is simply out of defense and escape from this pain that Meursault finally shoots the Arab. The sun’s command over Meursault causes him to at first, enjoy his stay at the beach but later, causes him physical pain, anguish and discomfort. It is this dominance nature has over Meursault that affects his actions and feelings. Meursault’s urge to escape the sun’s wrath eventually causes him to kill the seemingly unchastely Arab.