No Exit: Existential Hell, Existential Redemption

Drake 258

To understand No Exit, it’s worth remembering that Hell traditionally represents the opposite of the Ideal and that those condemned to Hell have violated the essential nature of that Ideal. So, just as Sisyphus represents a character able to leverage himself above his fate thru existential perspective, Garcin, Inez and Estelle represent characters doomed to never rise above their fates.  It’s also worth emphasizing that even though this existentialist Hell resembles the living world, it exists after death and has striking differences from that living world; understanding both those similarities and differences should help us understand the basis of existential theory. So….

In what ways does the physical environment of the room represent and existentialist hell; what elements symbolize hell according to existentialist philosophy.

What is the literal crime or sin each character commits when still living?

            Garcin:

            Inez:

            Estelle:

What is the existential “crime” or sin each character commits when living and, perhaps, continues to commit in hell?

Garcin:

            Inez:

            Estelle:

What solutions do the characters offer to solve their hell?

Garcin:

            Inez:

            Estelle:

What seems to keep the characters from achieving these solutions? Why do the repeatedly fail?

Garcin sums up the situation in the famous phrase “Hell is other people.” Obviously he’s speaking of the literal setting and plot of the play, but what is the larger, metaphorical meaning of this statement in relation to existential theory? Why does the way these characters interact with each other represent the problems existentialist theory attempts to solve?

The Myth of Sisyphus

Both Sisyphus and the three characters in No Exit are damned to eternal punishment for their crimes. Yet, according to Camus, Sisyphus finds a means to become the “absurd hero” and master his fate. Hell, according to Sartre, is one’s inability to do exactly that. What is the essential difference between Sisyphus’ heroism and our three characters eternal damnation?