In Albert Camus' The Stranger, the sun acts as an antagonist during Meursault's journey across the beach to the spring. His gradual degradation due to the sun is firstly expressed with diction suggesting it's suffocating powers. Meursault claims that, "the sea gasped for air with each shallow, stifled little wave that broke on the sand" (57). The sun's suffocating power casts "drunkenness" (57) over Meursault. The word drunkenness implies unruly behavior and not being of one's own mind. In portraying the sun as an intoxicating agent, it's role in the climactic murder is assured. In fact, as alcohol can be attributed to irrational behavior, the sun can be attributed to the murder, at least in part. It is even presented as a real person walking with Meursault, making him move. Indeed, the sun is personified many times when Camus describes it's heat as "hot breath"(57) against Meursault's face. Interestingly, Camus...