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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
the idea of hell and the devil is so peculiar because (take a look around!) there is plenty of evil in this world; no need to personify it when it's already a person
i appreciate sartre not bringing too much moral ambiguity to this— i think most people would agree that the three characters belong in hell
but then it begs the question what about people who are ambiguous? what about a slightly good person amongst terrible people? is that not an extra hellish situation?
referring to earth as down there (aka hell as up) was a curious choice
i appreciate sartre not bringing too much moral ambiguity to this— i think most people would agree that the three characters belong in hell
but then it begs the question what about people who are ambiguous? what about a slightly good person amongst terrible people? is that not an extra hellish situation?
referring to earth as down there (aka hell as up) was a curious choice
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not great not awful. The book goes down hill after they all reveal why they’re in hell. The rest feels forced idk how to describe it. I feel like he could’ve done more with such an intriguing philosophy: “Hell is other people”. Wouldn’t really recommend but it’s short so your not wasting time if your that curious.
"One always dies too soon—or too late. And yet one's whole life is complete at that moment, with a line drawn neatly under it, ready for the summing up. You are—your life, and nothing else."
A pacifist, an egomaniac, and a gay psychopath walk into a room - the room is Hell. This is the premise of Jean-Paul Satre's single act play. All three of our characters are terrible people who have done terrible things and are now in Hell. The interesting point is that Hell is just a room without any torturers or torture devices. Now for me, being locked up in a room with people I hate is Hell enough, and that is the main idea of the play. Which is why Satre says "Hell is - other people". His most famous yet most understood quote. People assume it to be misanthropic, but it's rather along the lines of being stuck with people who are just as terrible as you, and their terrible-ness reflects your evilness. Living with the reality of yourself is probably more torturous than a million penis flatteners!
"And you know what wickedness is, and shame, and fear. There were days when you peered into yourself, into the secret places of your heart, and what you saw there made you faint with horror"
"For thirty years you dreamt you were a hero, and condoned a thousand petty lapses—because a hero, of course, can do no wrong."
In Satre's play, we are shown how our perception of our selves is a reflection of the perspective of others. In the play, this is made rather literal. The idea of using each other as a mirror is one of the main themes. And is beautifully shown.
"Estelle: Oh, I don't know. You 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. !
INEZ: And why shouldn't you tame me?"
The three characters constitute an odd love triangle. Where Inez wants Estelle while Estelle wants Garcin. Garcin on the other hand only wants to be seen as a hero, and thus latches on to Inez for validation. Frankly speaking, I was not expecting this sexually incompatible love triangle going in lol. To be honest, I also expected the play to be a grim and dark experience of being subjugated with the company of people you despise. Rather it was pretty straightforward and at times even amusing.
"Don't you ever get taken that way? When I can't see myself I begin to wonder if I really and truly exist. I pat myself just to make sure, but it doesn't help much."
NBC's The Good Place had a similar premise in which a demon has the idea of torturing people by forcing them to interact with each other. I have a feeling it was inspired by this play as the showrunners were pretty into French philosophers.
Maybe one day the myth that "hell is other people" means that all people are awful will disappear and I will be able to sleep peacefully
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hell may very well be a room where you will spend eternity with grating and self-absorbed people, all while sitting atop uncomfortable "Second Empire" furniture.
This was pretty great. I haven't read a play in some time - quite a bit of Greek tragedy as an undergrad, and then the requisite Shakespeare and some Miller back in high school.
This was very different in style - funny, absurd, and thought-provoking - and I quite enjoyed it.
--
Read for Book Riot's 2016 Read Harder Challenge - a play
This was pretty great. I haven't read a play in some time - quite a bit of Greek tragedy as an undergrad, and then the requisite Shakespeare and some Miller back in high school.
This was very different in style - funny, absurd, and thought-provoking - and I quite enjoyed it.
--
Read for Book Riot's 2016 Read Harder Challenge - a play
Unfortunately, the less I attempt to view this work as intensely philosophical, serious, and ponderous, the more it improves. If I ask too many questions, if I dive too deep, the issues become blinding.
Define yourself or be defined by others! Or so it goes... But my issue with Sartre's philosophy is forever the same. What does it mean to define yourself? How does one go about doing this? Is this act or process even possible? What is this I that I am defining? And see, just like that, it has become utterly absurd. This is why I do not think one should get exceedingly invested in Sartre's philosophy. In its essence, it's merely superficial. The definition of sophistry. For this, I hate it, but be that as it may, this play might still be salvageable!
If you experience this play, not as a philosopher or a thinker, but first and foremost as a human being, you will be exposed to how futile, how senseless it is to care about others' fancies and opinions of you. It is absolutely terrifying that they can define you. That the other can perceive you, judge you, disdain you, most terrifyingly of all, love you, and it could be for any reason, and in that last act of the comic, they could even think one up, right there and then, if nothing obvious is at hand. What a prospect, and indeed, you should be wary, for if you are not, this beast called the other might devour you, and there they go away, all your loves and passions. Your dream as you know it is gone. Once you give in, you cease to exist, and something ugly and frightful, a being of grotesque form, takes your place. The truth is worse still. Hell is not other people. Your own grotesque form shall be your punishment. Your submission shall be your passing.
Define yourself or be defined by others! Or so it goes... But my issue with Sartre's philosophy is forever the same. What does it mean to define yourself? How does one go about doing this? Is this act or process even possible? What is this I that I am defining? And see, just like that, it has become utterly absurd. This is why I do not think one should get exceedingly invested in Sartre's philosophy. In its essence, it's merely superficial. The definition of sophistry. For this, I hate it, but be that as it may, this play might still be salvageable!
If you experience this play, not as a philosopher or a thinker, but first and foremost as a human being, you will be exposed to how futile, how senseless it is to care about others' fancies and opinions of you. It is absolutely terrifying that they can define you. That the other can perceive you, judge you, disdain you, most terrifyingly of all, love you, and it could be for any reason, and in that last act of the comic, they could even think one up, right there and then, if nothing obvious is at hand. What a prospect, and indeed, you should be wary, for if you are not, this beast called the other might devour you, and there they go away, all your loves and passions. Your dream as you know it is gone. Once you give in, you cease to exist, and something ugly and frightful, a being of grotesque form, takes your place. The truth is worse still. Hell is not other people. Your own grotesque form shall be your punishment. Your submission shall be your passing.
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes