preceding his decision to kill the Arab, the factor he considers most influential in this decision is the heat and light generated by the sun, which in this case represents the metaphysical. Omnipresent and overbearing, Meursault finds that stepping further away from it is futile, as its rays always seem to reach him. Stepping toward the Arab, and in effect away from the sun, he realizes "you could either shoot or not shoot," and for an instant he considers returning home without pulling the trigger. At the exact moment when the Arab removes a knife from his pocket, Meursault apparently has his back to the sun and i
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