Part 2, Chapter 3 Summary

On the day that Meursault's trial begins, he is taken to the courthouse in handcuffs. He waits in a small holding room until it is time for him to enter the room. While Meursault waits, he is conscious of the sound of much commotion inside the main room. Meursault's attorney has told him that the trial should be relatively brief. A case of parricide will follow this one and there has been much publicity about it. Many of the pressmen in town for the parricide trial will also cover Meursault's trial and the courtroom is full.

Upon entering the courtroom, Meursault is overcome by the noise and the intense sun shining through the patterns of the blinds. Meursault is very aware of the eyes of the jury and the pressmen on him. He begins to feel the discomfort of scrutiny for...