What Is Existentialism In No Exit

Existentialism is a constant battle to continue to progress in the world while at the same time not affecting another from doing the same. In the play No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre, main characters Garcin, Inez, and Estelle find themselves within a one of many hells furnished rooms. All have committed existentialist sins in order to be inside the room. After time they realize true hell is each other’s company and that every part of the room has been meticulously planned to expose each other’s weaknesses. They constantly fight and eventually reveal their existentialist sins. This revelation allows the reader to clearly understand the different facets attributed to the framework of existentialism. Whether it is Inez’s ability to restrict others
freedom and her site with being a bad person, Estelle’s need of approval from society, or Garcin’s cowardice, each character embodies the contradictory aspects of existentialism. These reverse character traits allow for the understanding of what truly is existentialist. A character that exhibits the opposite of an action is directly presenting how to act.
Inez’s consistent restriction of freedom and her passive attitude towards approving herself demonstrates that free will and character growth are components of pure existentialism. Inez recognizes that she is a cruel human but has developed a complacent view that halts her ability to advance morally. She admits to the other two that “her life is in perfect order.” She had just recently been murder and is now spending eternity in hell. She has no use of her old life and Sartre use of irony proves another component of existentialist: absurdism. The audience can witness that this statement makes no sense it doesn’t matter if her old life is in order in hell. Moreover, it proves that Inez has fostered an unwillingness to change. Her decision not to become a better person is a major sin. Conversely constantly improving illustrates a primary part of Existentialism. Additionally, in her old life she repeatedly refused others abilities to discover their own free will. Inez refers to her girlfriend as her “pet.” This degrading position that Inez places on her girlfriend alludes to a master commanding their pet. Pets do not think for themselves but instead are told to complete actions. This complete lack of self-sufficient behavior is incorporated in the grand scheme of an existentialist sin. In a similar way Inez lets Garcin know that she “crept inside her skin” about her girlfriend. This imagery allows the reader to think of puppet and how the extent of Inez’s control really went.
Estelle’s relentless need for others approval refuses any ability to be free herself.
Tying into the idea of free will Estelle makes decisions based on her embracement of societies views instead of her own. She is placed in a room without any mirror or glass of any kind to stare at her. She must by all means look good to others in order to feel good about herself. She admits “how maddening, not being able to see for myself.” Her umbilical cord attachment to how others perceive her represents a complete lack of free will. Which in turn exposes that in order for one to live existentially they need live by their own actions instead of being influenced by what others think. Furthermore, Estelle is urgent to remain young and fair and fears growing old. She enjoys the company of young men to have reassurance of her beauty. Estelle blurts out her love affair with her “little lamb,” peter. Their relationship permits Estelle to reconcile good feelings about her. She needs the presence of a young man to convince her that she is still relevant. Estelle refuses to divulge her vile actions so Inez and Garcin would not think of her in a bad light. She lets them know that she doesn’t know why she is in hell because no one would “tell [her] why.” Estelle’s need of approval outweighs admission to her terrible ways. Her attachment to be favored exemplifies the complete opposite of paving ones own way in life. Therefore, verifying that people only need the approval of themselves to live
existentiality. Estelle would never be able to truly live her own life but instead will exist as an item people can live vicariously through.
Garcin’s is a caitiff and is constantly in a fight to stay par in life.
This battle epitomizes the idea that in order to follow existentialist guidelines one must find satisfaction of self from within and should not fear the unknown. Garcin finds himself unable to leave the room even when the opportunity presents itself because he needs to prove that he is not weak. He announces, “It’s because of [Estelle] [he is] staying,” because she made him feel little. Garcin must make sure that Estelle thinks of him as a man instead of a cur. Thus, suggesting that ones confidence should be internal and should not rely on external influences. In addition to needing to prove adequacy Garcin runs away from his problems. Instead of respecting his wife and revering her he takes advantage of her. He acts as a man without morals treating her “abominably.” Sartre is implying through his strong adjective that Garcin is a monster. Which in turn validates his failure to face his problems instead he beats them. Moreover, Garcin refuses to fight in the war and once again runs from his problems by literally moving away. “[He] took the train...to Mexico,” to fight behind protection just as a dastard would. He took the easy way instead of trying to make the best of a bad situation. These actions are prime examples of oppositions to existentialist ideas of self-gratification and being a better person. Garcin is scared of his problems and avoids them to extreme degrees. In order for Garcin to have lived
a sinless life he would have had to find internal satisfaction and just live without fear of complication. The antithetical aspects to each of the character’s traits authenticate the fundamental features of existentialism. One must be able to choose for themselves without feeling pressure from the people around them. Life is filled with choices and decisions and to genuinely live ones own life they must be true to their judgment.