No Exit Play Written by Jean-Paul Sartre
Essay Preview: No Exit Play Written by Jean-Paul Sartre
Report this essay
No Exit is a play written by Jean-Paul Sartre bases on Sartres examination on existentialism. Sartre claims that it is ones free choice to live in a content life or discontented one. Sartre believes humans existences are decided by his or her essence and it is called “being-for-itself.” In “No Exit”, the usage of props illustrates the existences of Mr. Garcin, Estelle, and Inez, and expresses how they choose their own essences. There are props that are presented in the play, such as the grotesque bronze, the door that does not open, the different color sofas, a letter knife, and a bell that doesnt work. Although the presented props play a major role in the play but yet there are props that are not being introduced in Sartres Hell which also reveals the importance of human existentialism. However, through these props in No Exit, Sartre depicted that human existence is base on their freedom of choice.
Estelle wanted mirrors so desperately because she realize if she doesnt have mirror then the other two in the room get to criticize how she looks. Estelle believes that she doesnt exit without reflections from the mirror. “I have six mirrors in my bedroomI can see them. But they dont see me…but how empty it is, a glass in which Im absent!” (p19) The usage of mirror became a habit of Estelle. With the mirrors she could identify herself, and reveals that she does exist. After her death, even when she has a mirror she was not able to see herself through the mirror. Without the mirror, Estelle has the choice to choose to listen to others judgment of her. This is when Inez came along; Inez wants to prove Estelle does exist so Inez let Estelle use Inez eyes as mirror, “Whats that–that nasty red spot at the bottom of your cheek? A pimple?” (p 21) It is bad faith when Estelle believing someone else literally is creating her essence. Although Inez was lying to Estelle, “there isnt any pimple.” It is Estelles bad faith to believe how Inez describes her.
Sartre believed humans have the ability to choose and define their individual. Also the door and the bell are symbols for freedom; they are the freedom of choice. The valet informs Garcin that “you can never be sure about the bell” later after the valet leaves; Garcin tries and “goes to the bell-push, and presses the button. The bell remains silent.” The bell is a symbol for choice. It is Garcins decision to ring the bell, also it is the valet choice to answer the bell for him or ignore the bell. Throughout the play every character has the right to choose their individualism, even the valet. In the other hand, at the end of the play Garcin slam the door for it to open but it did not. Surprisingly, “he door flies open with a jerk” (p41) in a sudden, but Garcin meditated and stated that he “shall not go”. Before the door opens,