Existentialism in No Exit

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Essay Question 1: Existentialism in No Exit In Jean-Paul Sartre’s play No Exit, Sartre masterfully combines an underlying theme of existentialist philosophy ironically in a scene portraying Hell. No Exit communicates existential philosophy by expressing that requiring outside approval is a failing in human nature, that one must take absolute responsibility for one’s actions, and that God does not exist. Existentialism states that humans have the ability to choose and define their own individualities or characteristics, also known as one’s essence. However, this freedom brings with it the absolute responsibility for one's actions. The overwhelming significance of this complete responsibility causes fear and anxiety in many people. According to existentialism, it often causes people to ignore both their freedom and their responsibility by letting other people make choices for them. For this reason, in No Exit, when Garcin tries to escape from Hell the door suddenly opens, but he is unable to leave. He simply cannot handle the responsibility of confronting his decision to be a coward and flee his country. Garcin then lets his decision to walk through the door be contingent on Inez’ judgment of him, as he hopes for her approval. He hopes she will tell him he is not a coward, effectively allowing her to define his essence. He then begs Estelle to tell him he is not a coward. He says that he will not be saved until Inez has faith in him. She refuses, and promises to make him unhappy forever. Inez, however, realizes that the opinions of others truly affect the psyche more than it should. She says “each of us will act as the torturer of the two others.” (17). Estelle is similar to Garcin in that she cares about how others see her, and allows them to define her essence. She believes she does not exist unless she looks in a mirror, in an attempt to see herself as others do.
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