No Exit Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used the translation by S. Gilbert found in No Exit and Three Other Plays, published by Vintage International in 1989.

Quote #4

[She falls silent, gazing at Estelle, who has buried her head in her hands.] (360)

Estelle has learned from Garcin the same way Garcin has learned from Inez. She’s repeating his actions.

Quote #5

INEZ: You'd do better to watch your own interests. But, if you will leave us in peace, this child and me, I'll see I don't do you any harm.
GARCIN: [gazes at her for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders] Very well. (370-1)

Garcin is still trying to be accommodating, even after the others in the room have proven to be torturous.

Quote #6

[Inez has come up and is standing behind Estelle, but without touching her. During the dialogue that follows she speaks almost in her ear. But Estelle keeps her eyes on Garcin, who observes her without speaking, and she addresses her answers to him, as if it were he who is questioning her.] (376)

This action really speaks to Estelle’s ability to deceive herself. She is willing to distort her perceptions of reality to be happy. This is bad faith, since her happiness depends on being objectified by the only man in the room.