Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit: Followers Of Existentialism

Existentialism confuses many. Boasting a broad spectrum of ideas, some find it absurd. Followers of existentialism contemplate difficult philosophies usually avoided by the masses. These philosophers strive to find meaning in human behavior. More specifically, they strive to find meaning in the human condition. The ideology receives a plethora of scrutiny and misunderstandings because of differences in thinking within the existential organization. First performed in May of 1944,“No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre uses characters to convey existential ideas of essence and freedom.

Action creates essence and purpose. Essentially, man exists, ventures into the world, and then finds himself. The well-known phrase ‘Existence precedes essence’ defines

Freedom, a big priority for most people, comes with responsibility. One must make choices and accept the consequences. One cannot just go through life avoiding decisions. Technically, a person must decide to not make a decision, consequently making avoidance futile. One must not retreat from responsibility or attempt to blame another. Estelle does not understand this existential concept. “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…if they made a mistake in my case, they may have done the same about you. And you, too. Anyhow, isn't it better to think we've got here by Mistake?” (Sartre 1). The characters attempt to distance themselves from their sins. Garcin tries to mask his true sin with cowardliness. When acceptance comes, punishment ceases. Christian J. Onof writes, “Our only way to escape self-deception is authenticity, that is, choosing in a way which reveals the existence of the for-itself as both factual and transcendent”(Onof 1). A person must be true to himself. Garcin, a sexual wanderer, strayed from his true self to marry. He deceived himself. People make mistakes while trying to hide their true self. “Thus, the first effect of existentialism is that it puts every man in possession of himself as he is, and places the entire responsibility for his existence squarely upon his own shoulders” (Sartre 1). Unclaimed responsibility becomes hell. The

Connections break. People lose their life. Hearts tear apart. Others affect the outcome of a person’s life but, surroundings also affect the outcome of a person’s life. Some situations seem unavoidable but constantly people let others situate them a personal hell. “No Exit, as an intense and compressed dramatic parable, presents the core existential truth that each individual must ultimately face self truth and consequence, forced to an inescapable encounter with others who provide the measure for moral judgment” (Senejani 1). Others may judge. Garcin desperately wanted the women to deem him brave but in actuality a person ultimate judges himself. Inez suddenly realizes the truth. “Obviously there aren't any physical torments— you agree, don't you? And yet we're in hell. And no one else will come here. We'll stay in this room together, the three of us, for ever and ever...” (Sartre 1). Their hell includes other people but, only because they choose not to change. They have the freedom to change but they don’t and so, they must carry the consequence and suffer at the hands of