Instructions: Read each response below. Compare at least two different responses. Which entry would to allot the higher grade? Provide the reasons for your decision. Use quotes and extracts to support your answer. Explain how each might be improved.
Student Alpha
What does Inez seem to think is required of them in their situation? If she knows, why doesn't she do it? why does she smile at Estelle? (13-15) (In this case is she like or unlike Garcin?)
She says that they are all here for a reason, that the whole thing was orchestrated by someone, “I tell you they’ve thought it all out. Down to the last detail. Nothing was left to chance. This room was all set for us.” (14). She seems to think everyone needs to tell the truth about how they died and why they came to hell, “If only each of us had the guts to tell—” (15). That ‘they’ are waiting for them to tell the truth, “Ask me another! I only know they’re waiting”(15). She doesn’t confess yet because she wants Garcin and Estelle to do it first, to see if they can admit to their own wrong doings. She smiles at Estelle whilst she is telling her story, “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” (15), because she knows what Estelle is saying is not true, “Is that all you have to tell us?”(15), since she knows that ‘they’ would not make a mistake, “As if they left anything to chance!” (14). ….
Student Beta
What is our first impression of Telemakhos? What was he doing? What kind of person is he?
My first impression of Telemakhos is that he is a lonely, weak boy. At that time, he “was sitting there, unhappy among the suitors.” (line141) He is kind of person who will never give up. He always dream about “what if his great father came from the unknown world” (line142-143). But all he can do is to dream, he is not strong enough to control the country.
Student Gamma
The opening dialogue between Garcin and the Valet seeks to establish certain features of hell. What are they and what does this reveal about Sartre's view on life and the kind of life that would be worthwhile, however negatively characterized?
The opening dialogue questions the conventional ideas on what hell should be like. Garcin questions, “But I say, where are the instruments of torture?” (1). The Valet was amused by this traditional idea of hell, but there were no torture instruments. Garcin had not expected there to be just light and only light, and the second empire furniture. The conventional idea would have hell being full of fire, torturous implements, and darkness, however it is the mere opposite with having only light and no torture. Sartre’s view on life seems to be that humans like to undergo some suffering but hope that after this things get better. However, in this setting there is no such redeeming themselves of their sins or a quick torturous chamber for them to be punished once and be done with it. Hence, a life that would be worthwhile is where suffering is surpassed after a big hit and so one can move on.
Students Delta
The opening dialogue between Garcin and the Valet seeks to establish certain features of hell. What are they and what does this reveal about Sartre's view on life and the kind of life that would be worthwhile, however negatively characterized?
When reading the beginning exchange between Garcin and the valet, you can clearly see how Garcin is confused at what he finds Hell to be like. He expects to find some sort of torture chamber with “red-hot pincers and all the other paraphernalia”(4). Garcin also notices that the Valet did not have humanly eyelids, and so he never blinked. This gives him a sense of being under constant surveillance. This shows us that Sartre believed that even after having lost your life and ending up in Hell, things aren’t as bad as they are made out to be, however, you still have to be careful with what you do. The fact that there was no reflective surface in the room also shows us that Sartre believed that in order to truly see yourself for who you are, it has to be through the eyes of another, possibly a reason to be in Hell.
Student Epsilon
Does Estelle really need a glass? What does this suggest about her sense of identity? What does this suggest about human need and the value of different kinds of existences? (18-19)
In reality Estelle does not need a glass, she needs attention. As can be observed in her initial entry, she draws attention to herself by commenting on the sofas, calling them “hideous” (10) and complaining about “how they've been arranged” (10) which shows that she regards herself as above these things. Her obsession with her reflection is a link to her materialistic, high society upbringing. Her need for attention is further highlighted by the line, “but how empty it is, a glass in which I am absent!”(19) which shows that she regards herself to be the center of attention and the others in the room are equivalent to furniture. Her sense of identity is directly linked to the perception of others. As seen in her conversation with Inez, she is very concerned about how others see her, asking, “are you sure it looks all right?” (20) even when she has already been told so before.
Student Alpha
What does Inez seem to think is required of them in their situation? If she knows, why doesn't she do it? why does she smile at Estelle? (13-15) (In this case is she like or unlike Garcin?)
She says that they are all here for a reason, that the whole thing was orchestrated by someone, “I tell you they’ve thought it all out. Down to the last detail. Nothing was left to chance. This room was all set for us.” (14). She seems to think everyone needs to tell the truth about how they died and why they came to hell, “If only each of us had the guts to tell—” (15). That ‘they’ are waiting for them to tell the truth, “Ask me another! I only know they’re waiting”(15). She doesn’t confess yet because she wants Garcin and Estelle to do it first, to see if they can admit to their own wrong doings. She smiles at Estelle whilst she is telling her story, “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” (15), because she knows what Estelle is saying is not true, “Is that all you have to tell us?”(15), since she knows that ‘they’ would not make a mistake, “As if they left anything to chance!” (14). ….
Student Beta
What is our first impression of Telemakhos? What was he doing? What kind of person is he?
My first impression of Telemakhos is that he is a lonely, weak boy. At that time, he “was sitting there, unhappy among the suitors.” (line141) He is kind of person who will never give up. He always dream about “what if his great father came from the unknown world” (line142-143). But all he can do is to dream, he is not strong enough to control the country.
Student Gamma
The opening dialogue between Garcin and the Valet seeks to establish certain features of hell. What are they and what does this reveal about Sartre's view on life and the kind of life that would be worthwhile, however negatively characterized?
The opening dialogue questions the conventional ideas on what hell should be like. Garcin questions, “But I say, where are the instruments of torture?” (1). The Valet was amused by this traditional idea of hell, but there were no torture instruments. Garcin had not expected there to be just light and only light, and the second empire furniture. The conventional idea would have hell being full of fire, torturous implements, and darkness, however it is the mere opposite with having only light and no torture. Sartre’s view on life seems to be that humans like to undergo some suffering but hope that after this things get better. However, in this setting there is no such redeeming themselves of their sins or a quick torturous chamber for them to be punished once and be done with it. Hence, a life that would be worthwhile is where suffering is surpassed after a big hit and so one can move on.
Students Delta
The opening dialogue between Garcin and the Valet seeks to establish certain features of hell. What are they and what does this reveal about Sartre's view on life and the kind of life that would be worthwhile, however negatively characterized?
When reading the beginning exchange between Garcin and the valet, you can clearly see how Garcin is confused at what he finds Hell to be like. He expects to find some sort of torture chamber with “red-hot pincers and all the other paraphernalia”(4). Garcin also notices that the Valet did not have humanly eyelids, and so he never blinked. This gives him a sense of being under constant surveillance. This shows us that Sartre believed that even after having lost your life and ending up in Hell, things aren’t as bad as they are made out to be, however, you still have to be careful with what you do. The fact that there was no reflective surface in the room also shows us that Sartre believed that in order to truly see yourself for who you are, it has to be through the eyes of another, possibly a reason to be in Hell.
Student Epsilon
Does Estelle really need a glass? What does this suggest about her sense of identity? What does this suggest about human need and the value of different kinds of existences? (18-19)
In reality Estelle does not need a glass, she needs attention. As can be observed in her initial entry, she draws attention to herself by commenting on the sofas, calling them “hideous” (10) and complaining about “how they've been arranged” (10) which shows that she regards herself as above these things. Her obsession with her reflection is a link to her materialistic, high society upbringing. Her need for attention is further highlighted by the line, “but how empty it is, a glass in which I am absent!”(19) which shows that she regards herself to be the center of attention and the others in the room are equivalent to furniture. Her sense of identity is directly linked to the perception of others. As seen in her conversation with Inez, she is very concerned about how others see her, asking, “are you sure it looks all right?” (20) even when she has already been told so before.
Tip: Again, the general recommendation is to also see the questions as prompts. Answer the question fully then go on to do more, elaborate upon your ideas.