The outsider by Albert Camus+ imagery and symbolism essays

The outsider by Albert Camus+ imagery and symbolism essays The concepts of symbolism and imagery are essential in the construction of an effective and successful novel. Both imagery and symbolism provide a connection between the reader and the text, and aid in the readers understanding of the novel. This technique forces the reader to use their imagination to visualise the unknown and think beyond the basic meaning of literary terminology. The reader instinctively begins to relate the issues and events of the text with their individual experiences and opinions, thus forming a unique interpretation of the novel within every person. Throughout the novel The Outsider, Albert Camus successfully applies imagery and symbolism to encourage the reader the think and imagine beyond the obvious. Camus is successfully adopts imagery, through his continual reference to Meursaults surroundings, which has a symbolic value in his detached character. This imagery and symbolism, allows the reader to empathise with Meursaults situation, without Camus actually providing an insight into his thoughts and emotions. The significance of imagery and symbolism is firstly represented in The Outsider, through the continual reference to the sun. Unlike most authors, who represent the sun as a positive force, Camuss existential approach views the sun as a barrier to Meursaults emotions. The impact of the sun on Meursualt, is firstly represented at the funeral of his mother. Meursault is melted by the hot sun more than the funeral of his own mother. The symbolic value of the sun is also represented when Meursault is at the beach. At the beach, Camus portrays his negative version of the sun, through the situation of the Arab uses the sunlight to shine the light into Meursaults face. All I could feel were the cymbals of sunlight crashing on my forehead an, instinctively, the dazzling spear flying up from the knife in front of me. The scorching blade slashed at my eyelashes ...