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Vipassana's Reviews > No Exit
No Exit
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Hell is other people!
That statement is beyond doubt the most famous of Satre's. However, it is only after one is acquainted with No Exit does one realise how grossly misinterpreted that statement is. In the context of this play, the statement is not misanthropic. It highlights a symptom of the condition that is life. Perhaps this quote, where Estelle peers into the eyes of Inez for the lack of a mirror, characterizes Satre's iconic quote better.
Your scare me rather. My reflection in the glass never did that; of course, I knew it so well. Like something I had tamed...I'm going to smile, and my smile will sink down into your pupils, and heaven knows what it will become.
We see ourselves as a reflection of the perception of others. Often we cultivate the face that we present to them as well. Yet, the other people don't receive this image as we present it. The brush of a few layers, and see what we fear of ourselves. The denial of that moment is strong. It makes one defensive. But how long can you defend your self? It is absolute hell to live with one's guard up all the time. Though if one were to go through such a situation, I wonder how long it would last. It would appear pointless to go on forever. Does the will to hold up a crumbling mask last for long? "A man is what he wills himself to be", as Garcin says.
As a little thought experiment, I wonder what happens in this hell beyond the limits of this story. The end leads me to believe it might not be that hellish after all.
This is the first piece of Satre's that I have read. Due to several reasons, I did not expect to enjoy his work much. After reading this play, I look forward to them.
That statement is beyond doubt the most famous of Satre's. However, it is only after one is acquainted with No Exit does one realise how grossly misinterpreted that statement is. In the context of this play, the statement is not misanthropic. It highlights a symptom of the condition that is life. Perhaps this quote, where Estelle peers into the eyes of Inez for the lack of a mirror, characterizes Satre's iconic quote better.
Your scare me rather. My reflection in the glass never did that; of course, I knew it so well. Like something I had tamed...I'm going to smile, and my smile will sink down into your pupils, and heaven knows what it will become.
We see ourselves as a reflection of the perception of others. Often we cultivate the face that we present to them as well. Yet, the other people don't receive this image as we present it. The brush of a few layers, and see what we fear of ourselves. The denial of that moment is strong. It makes one defensive. But how long can you defend your self? It is absolute hell to live with one's guard up all the time. Though if one were to go through such a situation, I wonder how long it would last. It would appear pointless to go on forever. Does the will to hold up a crumbling mask last for long? "A man is what he wills himself to be", as Garcin says.
As a little thought experiment, I wonder what happens in this hell beyond the limits of this story. The end leads me to believe it might not be that hellish after all.
This is the first piece of Satre's that I have read. Due to several reasons, I did not expect to enjoy his work much. After reading this play, I look forward to them.
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Quotes Vipassana Liked
“As for me, I am mean: that means that I need the suffering of others to exist. A flame. A flame in their hearts. When I am all alone, I am extinguished.”
― No Exit
― No Exit
“Your scare me rather. My reflection in the glass never did that; of course, I knew it so well. Like something I had tamed...I'm going to smile, and my smile will sink down into your pupils, and heaven knows what it will become.”
― No Exit
― No Exit
Reading Progress
June 20, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 20, 2014
– Shelved
Started Reading
December 20, 2014
–
Finished Reading
January 20, 2015
– Shelved as:
plays
January 20, 2015
– Shelved as:
philosophy
January 20, 2015
– Shelved as:
fiction
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Cheryl wrote: "I'm still captivated by this line from the quote, "…My smile will sink down into your pupils, and heaven knows what it will become." Nice introspective review, Vipassana."
Thank you, Cheryl!
Fine review, Vipassana.Perhaps you know, the first actor to play the male part in the first production (in a small theater in Paris) of No Exit was Albert Camus.
Glenn wrote: "Fine review, Vipassana.Perhaps you know, the first actor to play the male part in the first production (in a small theater in Paris) of No Exit was Albert Camus."
Thank you, Glenn.
I recently learnt that from one of your comments on your review of The Fall :) While reading this play, I fell under the impression that it would have been far more remarkable to watch rather than read. It would have been interesting to watch Camus on stage especially.
Nice introspective review, Vipassana.