The Stranger and Weather

One of the most common descriptions of Meursault's character is his detachment from emotions, leading to inappropriate responses to situations. This is seen during the funeral scene, where Meursault is more concentrated on the weather than on his Mother's death. Meursault describes the weather as "All around me there was still the same glowing countryside flooded with sunlight. The glare from the sun was unbearable" (16). This kind of language is also seen when Meursault shoots one of the men who had been following his friend, Raymond Sintès. Meursault states that "The sun was starting to burn my cheeks, and I could feel drops of sweat gathering in my eyebrows. The sun was the same as it had been the day I'd buried Maman" (58). The connection can be made that Meursault is not actually as detached from emotions as has been presumed. His emotions are there, they are just described as weather events instead of feelings. This suggests that Meursault is making a conscious effort to distance himself from his emotions instead of confronting them, meaning that he is not actually detached emotionally but is trying to become detached.