The Stranger Literary Analysis Mood Suspenseful l extreme

The Stranger: Literary Analysis

Mood: Suspenseful l extreme adjectives used to exaggerate simple object l The knife is now a focus of the reader’s attentionas it was Meursault’s. l the knife and sun become one weapon, embodying a theme of existentialism l l dazzling spear scorching blade dazzling (sun) scorching (sun) Slashed at my eyelashes and stabbed at my stinging eyes l Stabbed at my stinging eyes l l l

Mood is the situation’s atmosphere or the character’s feelings. Meursault’s description of the sun as slashing, Stabbing, dazzling and scorching implies the suspense of the moment. Other things in the passage also imply the mood.

Metaphor: making a comparison between unlike things without the use of a verbal clue (such as "like" or "as"). The sun is NOT a knifeso what effect does it have on your understanding of Meursault’s state of mind at this point? l Meursault describes the sun metaphorically as a ‘scorching blade’ that is ‘stabbing’ at his eyes. l Meursault perceives his environment to be overwhelmingly hostile and unbearable.

Sound Imagery A metaphor using l Cymbals of sunlight sound imagery to crashing on my create mood of dark forehead suspense l ‘shatters’ contrasts l Shattered the harmony with the peace of of the day ‘harmony’ l Knocking gives a sense of being present in the l Knocking four quick moment times on the door of l Knocking unhappiness metaphorically is shooting l

Personification l Giving human qualities to the sea emphasizes a conflict Meursault senses between himself and his surroundings, while at the same time suggesting a sense of alienation from people. l The sea carried up a thick, fiery breath

Character Development Extreme description of a beach setting(remember: he has enjoyed the beach on past occasions) l l From Meursault’s perception, things are NOT normal which builds upon the argument that Meursault’s view of the world is largely different from most around him. l It seemed to me as if the sky split open from one end to the other to rain down fire.

The trigger gave; I felt the smooth underside of the butt; and there, in that noise, sharp and deafening at the same time, is where it all started. I shook off the sweat and the sun. l passive, no direct action from him (diction) l calm and eerie since it is about to be a murder weapon (mood/diction) l It was heard and not heard at the same time. (existential theme) l Trigger gave l Smooth underside l sharp and deafening at the same time