The Stranger Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory

Perhaps more than facial expressions, the sun is an apt indicator (and perhaps, predicting device for us, much like Punxsutawney Phil). However, also like Punxsutawney Phil, these predictions are v...

Meursault devotes significant attention to the different colors of the sky, the sun’s rays at different times of the day, the beach, the ocean, etc. In this book, green is usually associated...

Appearing in both Part I, Chapter Five and in Part II, Chapter Three, this woman arouses Meursault’s curiosity because of her peculiarity and meticulousness. Intrigued by her machine-like qua...

The obvious symbolism here is Christianity, but the crucifix is more than that in this novel. It also represents the Afterlife, society’s acceptance of it, and man’s collective search f...

Not just a place where Meursault’s life is on trial, the courtroom also symbolizes society’s forum in The Stranger. The judge is the self-proclaimed "moral umpire," calling the shots. T...

Appearing at Meursault’s trial in Part II, Chapter Three introduces a young reporter wearing gray flannels and a blue tie who studies Meursault intently with his very bright eyes, betraying n...

Laughing and swimming are the two actions that remind us that, in fact, Meursault actually is human after all. Meursault is strangely attracted to laughter, as we all are in some way, we suppose. H...