Sartre & No Exit

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Please turn in your homework. (See previous post for details!)

Start off this morning reading the information in the article on Sartre. Tnen we'll discuss key points and read the short play No Exit in small reading groups.
Jean-Paul Sartre (21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) 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. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, but declined it stating: "It is not the same thing if I sign Jean-Paul Sartre or if I sign Jean-Paul Sartre, Nobel Prize winner. A writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution, even if it takes place in the most honorable form." 
He is one of last century's greatest existentialists. As you read, consider Sartre's answer. For modern humans, he may be right. What do you think?
No Exit is Sartre's best known play. Only one act, the play epitomizes the value of creating characters in conflict. Each character: Garcin, Estelle, and Inez are perfectly balanced to challenge each other. This is effective and dramatic conflict. Each of your characters in a play should act as antagonist to another character. The best plays have characters who are at once dynamic and could also be considered protagonists and antagonists at different moments. No Exit is a great example of this theatrical tool in motion.

A version of No Exit (Harold Pinter)
Scenes from the play.
1.
2.

HOMEWORK: Complete your 3-minute philosophy video project. Read Part 1 of Siddhartha. Bring your books back with you next class to discuss part 1.

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