Hell is Other People

Hell is Other People

One of Jean-Paul Sartre’s most famous plays “No Exit” tells the story of Inez, Garcin and Estelle in hell – or rather, what their version of hell is. The arrival of the three characters takes place in the drawing room, with no knowledge as to why are there. Quickly, the reader learns who the characters are and the stark difference of all their behaviours. Garcin, the friendly gentleman is first introduced to the scene, while Inez the cold “damned-bitch” and vain Estelle follow soon after. Thus, their torture begins simply within the presence of one another. No physical harm, flames or “Satan”, just the entrapment of the three characters for the rest of eternity – in which they are each other’s punishment. Sartre’s philosophy of “Hell is other people” does not mean that people are terrible and the reason for suffering, rather that the vulnerability of an individual to other’s judgement is terrifying.

Sartre’s philosophy is based on the Look and the Other. The Look being that in the mere presence of another means putting oneself in a position of judgement, just as an object, and it is as an object that one can appear to another. The presence of other people means that one is forever trapped in other’s perception, putting pressure on one’s behaviour and actions, forbidding one of being “truly themselves” in fear of unacceptance. This is present in Garcin’s gentleman façade at the beginning of the scene, his actions being extremely friendly and cooperative towards Estelle and Inez, only for the act to be shattered once the characters begin to open up about their “sins” and true purpose of being in hell. His personality takes a drastic turn for an irritable, immoral, and cowardly man who runs away from not only his responsibilities, like his war duties, but judgement. This is particularly seen through the dynamic relationship of Garcin and Inez. Inez, already being the lesbian feminist that she is, has an obvious dislike towards Garcin, to which intensifies after learning about his sins. Inez is quick to insult and degrade him throughout the whole scene, mostly out of jealousy due to Estelle’s interest in Garcin. It is her judgement that Garcin feels extremely uncomfortable and suffers from. Garcin tries to shut them out by putting fingers in his ears for silence, to mimic how it would feel like to be alone, but he fails to do so as their presence is difficult to ignore. He searches for approval underneath her harsh words just so that doesn’t have to live with constant apprehension to what her perception is of him, which is that of a monster.

Arguably, Estelle is the character that suffers from this most as she is undoubtedly the most egotistical of the trio. The moment shared when Inez offers herself to be the mirror of Estelle is immensely significant due to the meaning behind Inez’s eyes. Inez explains how Estelle can’t escape Inez’s eyes because she will forever be stuck in a room without a mirror; Inez is the only “mirror” – mirror being her perception. Estelle’s biggest fear is imperfection; any pimple or the fact that will ever be able to see herself again haunts her. Inez’s quote is so important because Estelle is a subject to judgement, regardless if it’s willing or not. Depending on Inez’s perception, Estelle will listen. The lie Inez told of the pimple on her face left Estelle in hysterics, which just showcases not only Inez’s ability to manipulate, but the control her judgement has on Estelle.