No exit is a French existentialist play that was written by Jean-Paul. The play was first performed in Theatre du Vieux-Colombier in May 1944. The play is centered around three characters Estelle, Inez, and Garcin, who are all damned souls. they were all brought to the same room in hell by a mysterious man by the name of Valet. However, upon the arrival to hell, all three of them refuse to tell one another why they all ended up there. Until Inez convinces them to stop lying to there selves and to just own up to what they have done. All three of them had done terrible things in their lives. Garcin abused his wife and ran away from the war, Inez seduced her cousin's wife while living with them. Estelle had an affair, ended up falling pregnant and threw the baby out of the window, into a lake. However, beyond the physical boundaries of the room, they were also trapped by each other's judgments.
Garcin’s biggest issue is he likes to run away from his problem. Like with the abusing his wife, the army and in the actual hell room. That when situations get difficult, he finds it easiest to run away and get out of the situation. However, Inez and Estelle try to enjoy each others company. While Garcin tries to isolate himself because he could not comprehend that he was a coward for running away from the war. Plus, he knew both Inez and Estelle can see through him and were able to judge him based on his actions. Like page 21, Inez and Estelle are having a conversation and Garcin is trying to ignore them but ends up hearing everything. He says “Quite so; not a word. I stuck my fingers in your ears, but your voices thudded in my brain. Silly chatter. Now, will you leave me in peace, you two? I’m not interested in you.” It shows that Garcin believes he is above the other two and that they talking is his version of hell. Which is why towards the end of the play he tried to escape the room because Inez and Estelle confront him, and he doesn’t know how to handle it.
Estelle’s biggest issue is her appearance in both terms of physical appearance on her body and how everyone around perceives her. Which is shown when she freaks out about not being able to see herself because she can’t cope that other people can see her and she can’t see herself. She also is quick to shut herself off from confessing that she did something wrong with the affair and killing the baby until towards the end of the play. As she likes to maintain a reputation to seem innocent. However, the other two members unpack her and play with her emotions. Like page 21 Inez says, “What’s that nasty red spot at the bottom of your cheek?” then Estelle starts to panic, and she then says “There isn’t any pimple, not a trace of one. So, what about it? Suppose the mirror is telling lies?”. This shows how Inez likes to play with Estelle’s emotions and try to gain her trust by pretending to be her mirror. but then tell her some lies to make her panic.
Inez's biggest issue is that Estelle chooses Garcin over her. It is known that Inez is the most upfront out of the three of them. However, her hell is that she likes Estelle, but Estelle likes Garcin. Which drives Inez crazy and in the whole play she tries to seduce her. Then on page 21, Estelle asks Inez if she finds her attractive and then goes on to talking about Garcin. However, Inez gets jealous and says “Of course! Because he’s a Man!”. Which shows that she is really agitated with the idea that she likes Estelle, but Estelle likes Garcin. Plus, she as character likes to play mind games with the other two, which in most cases Inez is the primary starter to most arguments.
