existential exit

.

No Exit explores the extreme effects of allowing yourself to be defined by others. To an existentialist, this is the worst “sin” one can commit, an act of “bad faith.” How does the play, through characters and symbols/motifs alike, make this evident? Do you agree with the logic behind the argument? How do you act like a being-in or for-itself?

A noticeable theme in No Exit is mirrors and reflections. Estelle asks," Excuse me, have you a glass?" to everyone (18). Then when it is discovered there are no mirrors she nearly faints; "I feel so queer . Don't you ever get taken that way? When I can't see myself i begin to wonder if i really and truly exist. I pat myself to make sure, but it doesn't help much"(19). This is the existential delemia, do i exist if nothing or no one will affirm that i do. Hell Purposely has no mirrors so the inmates question their own exsistance. Worse still is when Estelle lets Inez be her mirror. She is directly letting others define her. Its a very dangerous thing to have someone reflect you. Inez insists, "Now ask me questions. I'll be as candid as any looking-glass" (20).

Garcin has the same problem as Estelle except he doesn't need a physical mirror. He purely defines himself by what others say and believe about him. When his coworkers think he is a coward. He becomes a coward. If one person believes him a hero, he is a hero. He begs, “One person's faith would save me. Will you have faith in me?” (39).

it is no wonder both are hesitant to tell the others what they are guilty of. As soon as the others pass judgment on them, that is what they become.