Existentialism in No Exit

A detailed Summary of Existentialism in No Exit


In his play, No Exit, Jean-Paul Sartre examines basic themes of existentialism through three characters. The first subject, Garcin, embraces existentialist ideas somewhat. The second character, Inez, seems to fully understand ideas deemed existential. Estelle is the third person, and does not seem to understand these ideas well, nor does she accept them when they are first presented to her. One similarity amongst the three is that they all at some point seem to accept that they are in Hell for a reason.

Garcin admittedly is in Hell because he was unkind and unfaithful to his wife. He however, does not wish he had acted differently, for he says, "I tell you I regret nothing (p. 24)." In this respect of acknowledging and owning up to his actions, Garcin is following existentialist laws. However, he sometimes violates them. For example, he is so preoccupied with the idea that he is a coward that he demands the women to renounce this and declare his masculinity. He is so dependent upon this


Estelle perhaps had the hardest time coming to terms with her transgressions and existentialist ideas. She is in hell because she committed adultery, from which she birthed and killed her unwanted daughter, driving her lover to commit suicide himself. However, at some points, she almost refuses to believe that she is in hell, like when she says, "That's just it. I haven't a notion, not the foggiest. In fact, I'm wondering if there hasn't been some ghastly mistake (p. 15)." She also has a preoccupation with her looks and what people think of her: "No, I can't do without a looking-glass for ever and ever. I simply can't (p. 19)." and "But I wish he'd notice me, too (p. 21)." The latter statement is referring to Garcin, whom she seeks for comfort and pleasure but is ultimately rejected by. There is evidence, however, that she begins to understand existentialist concepts when she accepts her sentence to hell and when she says, "It's mere chance that has brought us together (p. 14)."

All of the cha

Some common words found in the essay are:
Mere Chance, Jean-Paul Sartre, Inez Hell, , existentialist concepts, existentialist ideas, killed inez, understand ideas, mere chance,

Approximate Word count = 680
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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