No Exit
Encyclopedia
No Exit is a 1944
existentialist
French play
by Jean-Paul Sartre
. The original French
title is Huis Clos, the French equivalent of the legal term in camera, referring to a private discussion behind closed doors; English translations have also been performed under the titles In Camera, No Way Out and Dead End. The play was first performed at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
in May 1944, just before the liberation of Paris
in World War II
.
It is a depiction of the afterlife
in which three deceased characters are punished by being locked into a room together for eternity, and is the source of one of Sartre's most famous quotations, l'enfer, c'est les autres ("Hell is other people").
, appears for only a very limited time) and only one scene.
The play begins with a Valet leading a man named Joseph Garcin into a room that the audience soon realizes is in hell
(hell is described as a series of "rooms and passages"). The room has no windows, no mirrors, and only one door. Eventually Garcin is joined by Inès Serrano, and then another woman, Estelle Rigault. After their entry, the Valet leaves and the door is closed and locked. All expect to be tortured, but no torturer arrives. Instead, they are left to probe each other's sins, desires, and unpleasant memories, gradually realizing that this is their punishment: they are each other's torturers.
At first, the three see events concerning themselves that are happening on Earth, but eventually (as their connection to Earth dwindles and the living move on) they are left with only their own thoughts and the company of the other two. Near the end of the play, Garcin demands he be let out; at his words the door flies open, however, none of the three will leave. This is due partly to the substantial hate and fear of the unknown, but primarily to Garcin's desire for validation from Inès that he is not a coward.
, and he blatantly cheated on his wife – he even brings his affairs home and gets her to make them coffee in bed, without any sympathy. Initially, he hates Inès because she understands his weakness, and lusts after Estelle because he feels that if she treats him as a man he will become manly. However, by the end of the play he understands that because Inès understands the meaning of cowardice and wickedness, only absolution at her hands can redeem him (if indeed redemption is possible).
Inès Serrano – Inès is the second character to enter the room. A lesbian postal clerk, her sin is turning a wife against her husband, twisting the wife's perception of her spouse and the subsequent murder of the man (who is Inès' cousin). Indeed, Inès seems to be the only character who understands the power of opinion, manipulating Estelle's and Garcin's opinions of themselves and of each other throughout the play. She is the only character who is honest about the evil deeds she, Garcin, and Estelle have done. She commonly acknowledges the fact that she is a cruel person.
Estelle Rigault – Estelle is a high-society woman, a blonde who married her husband for his money and had an affair with a younger man. To her, the affair is merely an insignificant fling
, whereas her lover becomes emotionally attached to her and she bears an illegitimate child. She drowns the illegitimate child by throwing it into the lake, which drives her lover to commit suicide
. Throughout the play she makes advances towards Garcin, seeking to define herself as a woman in relation to a man. Her sins are deceit and murder (which also motivated a suicide). She lusts over "manly men", which Garcin himself strives to be.
Valet – The Valet enters the room with each character, but his only real dialogue is with Garcin. We learn little about him, except that his uncle is the head valet. And that he does not have any eyelids, which links to Garcin because his eyelids are atrophied.
based on the play was created by composer Andy Vores
. The production had its world premiere on April 25, 2008 at the Boston Conservatory
’s Zack Theatre. Vores' opera premiered in Chicago
in October 2009 by Chicago Opera Vanguard.
1944 in literature
The year 1944 in literature involved some significant new books.-New books:*Samuel Hopkins Adams – Canal Town*Jorge Amado – Terras do Sem Fim *Saul Bellow – Dangling Man*Jorge Luis Borges – Fictions...
existentialist
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
French play
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
by Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, particularly Marxism, and was one of the key figures in literary...
. The original French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
title is Huis Clos, the French equivalent of the legal term in camera, referring to a private discussion behind closed doors; English translations have also been performed under the titles In Camera, No Way Out and Dead End. The play was first performed at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier is a theatre located at 21, rue du Vieux-Colombier, in the 6th arrondissement in Paris. It was founded in 1913 by the theatre producer and playwright Jacques Copeau...
in May 1944, just before the liberation of Paris
Liberation of Paris
The Liberation of Paris took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the surrender of the occupying German garrison on August 25th. It could be regarded by some as the last battle in the Battle for Normandy, though that really ended with the crushing of the Wehrmacht forces between the...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
It is a depiction of the afterlife
Afterlife
The afterlife is the belief that a part of, or essence of, or soul of an individual, which carries with it and confers personal identity, survives the death of the body of this world and this lifetime, by natural or supernatural means, in contrast to the belief in eternal...
in which three deceased characters are punished by being locked into a room together for eternity, and is the source of one of Sartre's most famous quotations, l'enfer, c'est les autres ("Hell is other people").
Synopsis
No Exit is a one-act play for four actors (one of whom, the ValetValet
Valet and varlet are terms for male servants who serve as personal attendants to their employer.- Word origins :In the Middle Ages, the valet de chambre to a ruler was a prestigious appointment for young men...
, appears for only a very limited time) and only one scene.
The play begins with a Valet leading a man named Joseph Garcin into a room that the audience soon realizes is in hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
(hell is described as a series of "rooms and passages"). The room has no windows, no mirrors, and only one door. Eventually Garcin is joined by Inès Serrano, and then another woman, Estelle Rigault. After their entry, the Valet leaves and the door is closed and locked. All expect to be tortured, but no torturer arrives. Instead, they are left to probe each other's sins, desires, and unpleasant memories, gradually realizing that this is their punishment: they are each other's torturers.
At first, the three see events concerning themselves that are happening on Earth, but eventually (as their connection to Earth dwindles and the living move on) they are left with only their own thoughts and the company of the other two. Near the end of the play, Garcin demands he be let out; at his words the door flies open, however, none of the three will leave. This is due partly to the substantial hate and fear of the unknown, but primarily to Garcin's desire for validation from Inès that he is not a coward.
Characters
Joseph Garcin – His sins are cowardice and callousness (which caused his young wife to die "of grief" after his execution). He deserted the army during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and he blatantly cheated on his wife – he even brings his affairs home and gets her to make them coffee in bed, without any sympathy. Initially, he hates Inès because she understands his weakness, and lusts after Estelle because he feels that if she treats him as a man he will become manly. However, by the end of the play he understands that because Inès understands the meaning of cowardice and wickedness, only absolution at her hands can redeem him (if indeed redemption is possible).
Inès Serrano – Inès is the second character to enter the room. A lesbian postal clerk, her sin is turning a wife against her husband, twisting the wife's perception of her spouse and the subsequent murder of the man (who is Inès' cousin). Indeed, Inès seems to be the only character who understands the power of opinion, manipulating Estelle's and Garcin's opinions of themselves and of each other throughout the play. She is the only character who is honest about the evil deeds she, Garcin, and Estelle have done. She commonly acknowledges the fact that she is a cruel person.
Estelle Rigault – Estelle is a high-society woman, a blonde who married her husband for his money and had an affair with a younger man. To her, the affair is merely an insignificant fling
Casual relationship
A casual relationship, colloquially known as a fling, is a physical and emotional relationship between two people who may have a sexual relationship or a near-sexual relationship without necessarily demanding or expecting the extra commitments of a more formal romantic relationship...
, whereas her lover becomes emotionally attached to her and she bears an illegitimate child. She drowns the illegitimate child by throwing it into the lake, which drives her lover to commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Throughout the play she makes advances towards Garcin, seeking to define herself as a woman in relation to a man. Her sins are deceit and murder (which also motivated a suicide). She lusts over "manly men", which Garcin himself strives to be.
Valet – The Valet enters the room with each character, but his only real dialogue is with Garcin. We learn little about him, except that his uncle is the head valet. And that he does not have any eyelids, which links to Garcin because his eyelids are atrophied.
Film
- Huis closHuis clos (1954 film)Huis clos , is a French comedy film from 1954, directed by Jacqueline Audry, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, starring Jean-Marie Amato and Louis de Funès.- Cast :* Arletty : Inès Serrano, lesbian* Gaby Sylvia : Estelle Rigaud, the infanticide...
(1954), directed by Jacqueline AudryJacqueline AudryJacqueline Audry was a French film director who started making films in post-World War II France and specialised in literary adaptations. She was the first commercially successful woman director of post-war France.... - No ExitNo Exit (1962 film)No Exit is a 1962 film adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre's play No Exit directed by Tad Danielewski.-Cast:* Carlos Brown - Roger Delaney III* Elsa Dorian - Shirley* Rita Gam - Estelle* Mario Horna - Albert* Miguel A...
(1962), directed by Tad DanielewskiTad DanielewskiTad Danielewski was a Polish-born American film director.-Early years:... - No Exit (2006), directed by Etienne Kallos
Television
- In Camera (BBC 1964), adapted for television and directed by Philip SavillePhilip SavillePhilip Saville is a British television direction and screenwriting from the late 1950s...
Opera
A one-act chamber operaChamber opera
Chamber opera is a designation for operas written to be performed with a chamber ensemble rather than a full orchestra.The term and form were invented by Benjamin Britten in the 1940s, when the English Opera Group needed works that could easily be taken on tour and performed in a variety of small...
based on the play was created by composer Andy Vores
Andy Vores
Andy Vores is a Welsh classical music and opera composer. He has lived in the United States since 1986 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.-Education:Vores studied composition at Lancaster University in Lancaster, England...
. The production had its world premiere on April 25, 2008 at the Boston Conservatory
Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory is a performing arts conservatory located in the Fenway-Kenmore region of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater...
’s Zack Theatre. Vores' opera premiered in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in October 2009 by Chicago Opera Vanguard.
External links
- No Exit Script
- No Exit at Sparknotes.com
- No Exit at A.R.T. 2006 production of No Exit at the American Repertory Theater