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“No Exit” Graded Discussion Prompts
Bring a detailed outline to participate in a graded discussion. This will be your major grade for the unit. You will be assessed on quality of prepared notes, participation in discussion, which entails asking questions, listening attentively, responding to the ideas of others.
My topic: ________
Topic A
The existentialist philosophy focuses on the individual’s need to create his or her own essence, or meaning, from the physical fact of living. No external forces, such as other people, religion, or national allegiance can provide this essence. Explain how Sartre presents this idea in the play.
Topic B
Ultimately, everyone is responsible for his or her own life, choices, and consequences. How is the idea of personal responsibility, or lack thereof, presented via characters in the play?
Topic C
The characters in the play act as each other’s torturers. Explain how this symbolizes an inappropriate dependence on other people. What does Sartre say about this dependence?
Topic D
Sartre uses the notions of death, hell and eternity as tools to present an example of how not to live. Explain how these ideas come to symbolize life improperly lived.
In your opinion, does Existentialism seem to be a philosophy of hope or one of cynicism? Why?
Is the reliance on the individual to create their own moral “code” promising or problematic? Do you think we would listen to what Abraham Lincoln referred to as “…the better angels of our nature” or would we be selfish?
