Dialectical Journal: No Exit

1. Garcin: “No mirrors, I notice.”(2)
As Garcin enters the room with the Valet, he first notices that there are no mirrors. Mirrors in this play are important as they allow the characters to judge themselves without the judgment of others. A room without mirrors foreshadows the eventual interactions with each character as they are forced to be judged. It’s being without a mirror that causes the characters to slowly judge each other and start complications.

2. Garcin: “Ah, I see; it’s life without a break.”(2)
Garcin notices that neither he nor the Valet has eyelids. Garcin, Inez, and Estelle are to be forever awake without any break. They will have to face each other constantly and they are to suffer under the continuous stare of each other. This quote is significant in that it foreshadows the effect is has on the three characters when the actual torture begins.

3. Garcin: "Yes, my wife. She's waiting at the entrance of the barracks. She comes there every day. But they won't let her in. Now she's trying to peep between the bars. She doesn't yet know I'm absent, but she suspects it...Those big tragic eyes of hers-with that martyred look they always had. Oh, how she got on my nerves."(6)
This quote depicts the situation where Garcin is able to see his wife down on Earth while he is in Hell. It reveals much about Garcin's character. He is very condescending and disdainful towards his wife and foreshadows the realization that he abused her. It also reveals the place Garcin died—in the barracks—which sheds light to Garcin’s past life.

4. Estelle: “That's just it. I haven't a notion, not the foggiest. In fact, I'm wondering if there hasn't been some ghastly mistake.”(8)
This quote is significant as Sartre emphasizes the theme of self-deception. Even though she is already dead, Estelle will not admit to herself why she is in hell. She has nothing to lose by telling the truth, but she is so used to being dishonest with herself that she cannot stand to tell. This foreshadows Estelle’s actions as she becomes dependent on the judgment of others and rejects the notion of freedom and will.

5. Inez: “Look here! What’s the point of play-acting, trying to throw dust in each other’s eyes? We’re all tarred with the same brush.”(9)
This honest statement made by Inez tells a lot about her character. Unlike Estelle and Garcin who refuses to admit as to why they are in hell, Inez states that they were all sent to hell for a reason and that they shouldn’t try to hide it. Inez refuses to lie and she is more conscious of herself compared to Estelle and Garcin.

6. Inez: "Suppose I try to be your glass? Come and pay me a visit, dear. Here's a place for you on my sofa."(10)
This statement, made to Estelle from Inez, foreshadows Inez’s attraction towards her and also her power over Estelle. Throughout the play, Estelle consistently tries to look at mirrors in order to avoid the glances of their peers. As Inez attempts to gain influence over Estelle, she offers to be her mirror. Following that, Inez tells her that she has a pimple on her lower lip. Estelle, unable to trust her own judgment, must rely on Inez to feel satisfaction of her existence. Estelle surrenders her individuality to Inez and thus reflects on the theme of judgment and power over people.

7. Garcin: “I asked you to leave me in peace. There's someone talking about me in the newspaper office and I want to listen.”(12)
This quote is significant in understanding Garcin’s state of mind during the time he is in hell. Garcin refuses to let go of his past, desperate to be heard on Earth. He continues to see himself in terms of his past, not his present. This reflects Garcin’s regretfulness on earth and his longing for redemption—he doesn’t want to be remembered as a coward after he had died trying to run away.

8. Garcin: "You're crazy, both of you. Don't you see where this is leading us? For pity's sake, keep your mouths shut. Now let's all sit down again quite quietly; we'll look at the floor and each must try to forget the others are there."(12)
Garcin's statement reflects his calmness and willingness to accept his situation. Of all three prisoners, Garcin is the most willing to accept what has happened. He realizes that the reason they were put together was to cause judgment and bring calamity so he suggests looking at the floor and ignoring each other. When Garcin instructs them all to look at the floor, he is implying that none of the three should judge each other.

9. Inez: "When I say I'm cruel, I mean I can't get on without making people suffer. Like a live coal. A live coal in others' hearts. When I'm alone I flicker out."(14)
This statement reveals Inez’s past life and her character. Unlike Garcin and Estelle, Inez was aware of her cruelty and wrongdoings while she was alive. She reveals her need to control others to Garcin and believes that one should behave as he wishes. She is a fire that feeds off of others and when there is nobody left to destroy the fire burns out. Being left alone is her torture in hell. This also foreshadows her effect on Garcin and Estelle when tension arises between each other.

10. Garcin: "Inez, they've laid their snare damned cunningly-like a cobweb. If you make any movement, if you raise your hand to fan yourself, Estelle and I feel a little tug. Alone, none of us can save himself or herself; we're linked together inextricably. So, you can take your choice."(16)
This quote represents the first real attempt by the three prisoners of trying to help each other and escape their confinement. However, despite Garcin's ideas regarding freedom and escape, he is woefully underpowered in dealing with the forces that are present in the play. Garcin believes everything they do is part of a trap, helpless to the power of the valet, the “devil”. This also foreshadows the eventual downfall of the three characters as the play progresses.

11. Garcin: “You won't catch anything. We're chasing after each other, round and round in a vicious circle, like the horses on a roundabout.”(17)
Inez and Estelle believe that everything in the room is a snare and they will be able to catch the one who is setting it up. Garcin, however, has different thoughts on the subject. Garcin, Inez, and Estelle are all blocking each other’s way of getting what they want. They all need validation from one of the other characters, Garcin needs Inez, Inez needs Estelle, and Estelle needs Garcin. A cycle will never end because of the third person who always gets in the way. This reflects the theme of eternal torture.

12. Estelle: "Your crystal? It's grotesque. Do you think you can fool me with that sort of talk? Everyone knows by now what I did to my baby. The crystal's shattered, but I don't care. I'm just a hollow dummy, all that's left of me is the outside-but it's not for you."(19)
In this quote, Estelle admits that she had drowned her own baby and that is why she is in hell. She has come to the realization that all three of the prisoners are tainted in their own way. Although she initially denied the reason as to why she was sent to hell, this quote represents her thoughts that the truth should be shared between the three prisoners, as there is no point of hiding when they are already in hell. However, Estelle is also making her point that she is not going to be influenced by Inez; she is her own person and will not take influence or pressure from another force.

13. Inez: “Very well, have it your own way. I'm the weaker party, one against two. But don't forget I'm here, and watching. I shan't take my eyes off you, Garcin; when you're kissing her, you'll feel them boring into you. Yes, have it your own way, make love and get it over. We're in hell; my turn will come.”(20)
This grim statement made by Inez foreshadows her effect on Garcin when he tries to leave the room. As Garcin tries to make love with Estelle, Inez gives him a reminder that she will constantly watch them. This quote reflects the theme of power and judgment. As Inez is “painfully conscious” of herself, she has the power to judge others without being affected. It also reflects the theme of hell in that she will forever watch her and that her turn will eventually come.

14. Inez: "Can't you guess? Well, I can. He wants you to tell him that he bolted like a lion. For "bolt" he did, and that's what's biting him."(20)
Inez's statement contains a lot of meaning and significance for the character of Garcin. Garcin, after telling Estelle that he actually was executed from running away, not passively resisting, wants her to believe that he was not a coward. He can’t decide on his own that he is not a coward, but only if Estelle tells him so. Garcin is obsessed about how other people judge him even though he is in hell, where there is nothing to hide. Rather than accepting responsibility, Garcin surrenders himself to the opinion of others.

15. Garcin: "But they won't forget me, not they! They'll die, but others will come after them to carry on the legend. I've left my fate in their hands."(22)
This quote puts significance to the power of memory. Garcin is to be forever known as a coward on Earth and he cannot stand that fact. Inez and Estelle were quickly forgotten on Earth and thus their memories and thoughts faded rapidly from existence, but Garcin will always have someone to remember that he was a coward. Thus, when Garcin talks about his fate being in "their hands", he is referring to the idea that his memory and legacy are in the hands of his peers and rivals.

16. Estelle: “What do you expect me to say? Don't you realize how maddening it is to have to answer questions one can't make head or tail of?”(22) This quote sheds light onto the void in Estelle’s true feelings towards Garcin. She didn’t even understand what Garcin was saying when he asked her whether he was a coward or not, but she decided to agree with him. Estelle’s only motive was to have a man by her side and this reflects the theme of lie and deceit. This further disgusts Garcin which prompts him to try to leave the room.

17. Estelle: "Oh, how mean you are! Yes, it's quite true you're a coward." (23) Estelle, through her statement here, is calling Garcin a coward as he begs to leave the room. As Garcin cannot stand to be played by Estelle after she tells him he isn’t a coward only to make love with him, he bangs on the door and it opens. However, Garcin is unable to leave. It’s not that he cares about Inez calling him a coward; it’s due to the fear of Inez judging him. This quote highlights Garcin’s fear of being judged and that is the reason he decided to stay in the room—to convince Inez that he is not a coward.

18. Garcin: “Will night never come?” Inez: “Never.” Garcin: “You will always see me?” Inez: “Always.”(25)
This quote brings significance to the helplessness Garcin feels under the judgment of Inez. Due to Inez’s existence in the room, Garcin ignores his innate freedom and responsibility. Sartre conveys to the readers the power of judgment and loss of individuality. Garcin is now forever to be watched, helpless.

19. Garcin: "So this is hell. I'd never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the "burning marl." Old wives' tales! There's no need for red-hot pokers. Hell is—other people!”(25)
This is perhaps the most famous quote from the play. Sartre suggests through this quote that “hell” is not a place filled with physical torture; it can exist on earth and “hell” can be people. Garcin finally realizes that “hell” for him is the gaze and judgment of others that degrade and devour his individuality. He is unable to have freedom, although it is there, because of the judgment from Inez. Garcin is left to be tortured forever, until he is given faith by Inez.

20. Garcin: "Forever, and ever, and ever…Well, well, let's get on with it…." As the last line in the play, Garcin, Inez, and Estelle stop laughing after realizing their doomed fate of staying in hell for eternity. Estelle tried to kill Inez, but being already dead, there was no use. They will forever be tortured by judgment from each other. Garcin ends the play with “let’s get on with it” to convey the end of possible choices and the start of eternal torture.