No Exit

“No Exit” is a play about how we define ourselves and our existence. Four people are sent to hell for various crimes, and must face who they really are. However, none of them are able to do so on their own, and rely on the others to define their existence for them. Sartre said that “existence precedes essence” which means there can be no outside forces that control our actions and determine our future. It is the choices we make that do that.

I agree that when the door finally opens for Garcin, Sartre is presenting us with, perhaps, the most important scene of the play. I think that this is a perfect example of Sartre’s “bad faith.” Each one of the characters rely on the others to make their existence real, but in doing so, falls victim to a form of self-deception, which in turn does the opposite. Garcin claims he is a great man and a pacifist, but knows deep down that his real reason for deserting was fear. He thinks that if others believe he is brave in the face of death, then to him, it is true enough. He takes no responsibility for his actions and obsesses over what people on Earth are saying about him. Furthermore, Estelle uses other people as a mirror, and will believe anything they tell her. She is only able to exist through other people. As I mentioned, Sartre said that only you can make your existence real, and can not rely on outside forces to do so for you. Essentially, they are giving up their freewill to strangers.

We see that the characters could have escaped hell, as the opportunity arises when the door opens, however, they refuse because they are weak-minded, and unable to exist by themselves. They suffer from bad faith, and also false reality. They are prisoners of the past, and prisoners of the mind. As for the torture, the sheer company of the others watching you, judging you for eternity, is enough. This is why there is no need for physical