Jean-Paul Sartre's concepts have always fascinated critical thinkers and creative artists alike. In this paper I am going to evaluate his many topics and schools of thought as explained in the book Ten Theories of Human Nature by Leslie Stevenson. I intend to specifically explore the concepts of good and bad faith using examples from Atom Egoyan's film, The Sweet Hereafter. I shall draw existential parallels between Sartre's concepts and Egoyan's in order to point out certain motivations that are found within the characters of Egoyan's film. I will especially focus on the film's main characters and how the concept of community versus outsiders affects them

Jean-Paul Sartre defines the universe as being absurd and without God. He denies the existence of God merely because he feels that the responsibility of a man's life belongs in the hands of himself and nothing else. Sartre believes that if man believed in the existence of God, he would not try to make his life meaningful knowing that he had God as a safety net. Therefore, once man denies the existence of God and realizes that he has to depend on himself and only himself for his survival, he will be forced to take his existence into

Before the bus accident, the members of the town of Sam Dent were living in good faith. They would help each other out, do kind things for each other, and treat one another like they were family. After the tragic accident however, the entire town's mentality changes, the community brakes up and everyone takes on this "every man for himself" attitude. Billy Ansel, a respected member of the town, is desperate to keep the community alive by not involving himself with a lawyer like most others in the town. He displays his desperation in the scene where he goes to visit Sam and Mary Burnell at their home after the accident. In this scene he pleads with the Burnell's not to get themselves involved with a lawyer. He insists that they can work it out together. He is even willing to pay for their daughter Nicole's hospital bills. Billy sees the repercussions that a lawyer's actions could do to a peaceful town like Sam Dent and is willing to do anything to stop anyone from taking on a lawyer.

Mitchell Stevens is the lawyer that comes to the town of Sam Dent in order to represent any family that seeks monetary compensation for the loss of their child. He is a successful lawyer who enjoys a fancy lifestyle. He drives an expensive car, wears nice suits, and flies first class. The interesting part about this particular case that he takes on is that he does not seem like he is doing it for the money. Frankly he does not need the money, He is involving himself in the case because he sympathizes for the families who have lost their children. He too has, in a sense, lost his daughter Zoe. Even though she is not dead, she is so disconnected with her father that she might as well be. On multiple occasions in the film, the only time Zoe calls her father is to ask for money or to tell him that she is in trouble again. We find out in the film that Zoe has a nasty drug problem that keeps her frequenting drug rehabilitation and treatment centers. Sartre would define Zoe's character as living in bad faith. She is everything her father is not. She is not successful; she has made nothing of her life, is not employed, and hangs around with her friends and does drugs. She depends on her father for support and this is her weakness. Because she is so dependant on him, she has not developed her own self-meaning and without her father, she is hopeless and miserable. Mitchell Stevens does not enjoy just throwing money at hi

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1623
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)