Sartre No Exit Essay

Setting and details that demonstrate an existentialist background Where the story is located can influence the meaning of the plot. The details provided change the idea entirely as they can change the perspective of a character. The Play No Exit uses a setting to create a new hell for the protagonists as it strays from the typical beliefs of hell. Sartre uses setting and details within the play to demonstrate his existentialist background. Sartre uses a the setting and details to display a new hell that is not physically torturing but is instead an emotional toll on the protagonists. The details and setting aid in the progression of the plot but also aid in the spread of his message . His message presented through the play
The room and the characters are supposed to be helland for Estelle no mirrors and no windows were her torture in hell. Estelle asked for any way to see herself “have you a glass? Any sort of glass?” (Sartre). Through Estelle we can see Sartre’s existentialist background because no mirrors and no windows is not the usual torture. Estelle’s need to be seen and lack of mirrors clearly shows that torture does not need to be physical and appeals to a different hell. A physical hell is not always worse “The allusion is apparent since neither version of the afterlife is very appealing”(kelly,1). The lack of mirrors and windows is not ideal for Estelle and therefore is worse than a physical torture . Mirrors and windows would not have made her life better but without them she suffers, Sartre had the intention of applying an “absurd” (Kelly), existentialist idea of hell to the audience through Estelle’s reaction to the details of the hotel room. Sartre includes other details that lead to problems through other characters and presents his ideas