The Flies and In Camera by Jean-Paul Sartre (Vintage 1948 Hardcover)

1. “The Flies” (“Les Mouches”): “The Flies,” a play by Jean-Paul Sartre, was first performed in 1943. The story is a modern reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Orestes, emphasizing existentialist themes. In this play, Sartre explores the concepts of freedom, responsibility, and individual choice. The central character, Orestes, grapples with his sense of duty, the burden of guilt, and the consequences of his actions. The title metaphorically refers to the pervasive presence of guilt and the haunting consequences of one’s decisions.
2. “In Camera” (“Huis Clos”): “In Camera,” often translated as “No Exit,” is a one-act play by Sartre, first performed in 1944. The play is a cornerstone of existentialist literature. The story unfolds in a small, windowless room where three characters find themselves in the afterlife. As they interact and reveal their life stories, they discover that their eternal punishment is not physical torment but the psychological torment of each other’s company. The famous line “Hell is other people” encapsulates the play’s exploration of human relationships, self-deception, and the inescapable gaze of others.

Together, “The Flies” and “In Camera” showcase Sartre’s philosophical exploration of existentialism, emphasizing individual choice, moral responsibility, and the complex dynamics of human relationships in the face of life’s challenges and uncertainties.