Product Description
El fin de esta obra -apunta Sartre- es descubrir la gran funcion irrealizante de la conciencia o Imaginacion y su correlativo noematico, lo imaginario. Un objeto imaginario es una creacion pura, un absoluto, y por lo tanto nos ofrece la posibilidad de negar al mundo, pero al mismo tiempo resulta inconcebible a esta imaginacion la posibilidad de aislarse de la conciencia que esta en el mundo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Insightful, Superbly Written, Sublime.
"les Mots", or "Words", is Jean-Paul Sartre's autobiography about his childood, with a strong emphasis on literature; an emphasis which is only natural, since little Sartre grew up with them before he began writing himself (pun intended).

Accordingly, the book is divided into two parts: "To Read" and "To Write".

If you can read French, then please do yourself a favour and read this wonderful text. It is so good, it actually made me enjoy writing French prose, which is something no other text before ever did, and about the only other French text that I can remember which had an effect of "wow, that's well written!" on me was "les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Laclos.

"Les Mots" is a thrilling read, with insights so profound and witty that I enjoyed every page of it. I generally love Sartre's writings, and this is no exception; it just may have a little something more, in the sense that, for all I know, it is the only explicitly autobiographic book he wrote.

I can't recommend this book enough. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Treat
My very favorite reading material is biographical analysis, so this volume is a real treat. I don't know why the Tintoretto piece makes me think of Melville, but Sartre certainly has better communication skills than that reknowned author. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the first survey and appraisal of the literary criticism written by Jean-Paul Sartre during the last thirty years.Benjamin Suhl relates Sartre's evolution as a systematic philosopher.For those not acquainted with all Sartre's critical writing during this period, the author includes descriptive presentation of the material, including recent article as yet unavailable in English. ... Read more

Product Description
Jean-Paul Sartre, a French philosopher, is perhaps the best known advocate of existentialism. In this view, no external authority gives life meaning: mankind is radically free and responsible. In every moment we choose ourselves, with no assurance that we have a continuing identity or power. We set up determinisms to ease our minds, but in the face of the finality of death, only through our present consciousness do we establish our own authentic existence.

Sartre's existentialism faces the evil in human existence and sees that humans are responsible for it. He doubts mankind can make moral progress, yet he embraces the possibilities for human life and believes we can attain dignity by our own efforts. Sartre’s ideas had a profound influence on ordinary people after World War II and continue to contribute to the development of thought in Europe and America today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Philosophy of Giants - Jean-Paul Sartre
A very good summary of Jean-Paul Sartre's exitentialist views and how they changed over his lifetime.A good primer on existentialism.This introduces the concept that the choices made by individuals in the present define the meaning of past and future events in that individual's life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A look in the mirror
Everything that Sartre is saying about the anti-semite which is pretty much on target is just as true about Zionists, the psychopathic Jew who has less feeling for humanity, and ultimately the Palestinian, than a mountain rock. It's a book worth reading, especially with an eye to the Jew morphing into the Zionist. What a pity! They have become their own worst enemy.

A brilliant indictment against society
Imagine the value of a book on anti-Semitism composed by a non-Jew, a deep-thinker, a philosopher, a man living in France in 1944 during a period of fierce Jew hatred; imagine what ideas this book could impart. This is the value of Jean-Paul Sartre's short, but information-filled volume, his indictment of society.

Characteristics of an anti-Semite
An anti-Semite, Sartre explains in perhaps his most insightful insight, is an individual who hates Jews because he refuses to think. He is afraid of and threatened by thinking. Thinking requires the recognition that ideas change and grow. A thinking person never knows exactly what is true because he recognizes that ideas vanish like vapor; they develop and change as he gains new knowledge. But the anti-Semite needs to have an ossified never-changing world, a world set in stone, a stone that he can lean on, a stone that supports him, that holds him up. He cannot deal with knowing that what he understands today will change tomorrow.

It is easier for him to blame the Jew for evil, and speak of ridding the world of Jews to remove the evil, than seeing the true problems of society, thinking how to resolve them, and working to do so. Vaguely, without real thought, for he is unable to define "evil" or "good," he argues that the harmony of his life will be reestablished once the Jew is removed. His thoughts are vague and totally negative and destructive.

His notion of Jews is not based on ideas; "it is...a passion." Not only Jews, but even his conception of the world is based on passion. He has no real understanding of history and no real experience with Jews. His hatred is similar to irrational faith because he is "impervious to reason and to experience."

His passion disallows him to see anything good in the Jew. Just being a Jew, he feels, ruins the Jew and everyone around him. A Jew fowls everything that he does, even the air he breaths. When a Christian and a Jew work and create side by side and produce the same object, the Jew's production is tainted, infected, soiled, and besmirched, even though it looks, smells, and feels the same.

The anti-Semite admits that the Jew is intelligent and hard-working; "he even confesses himself inferior in these respects." But he thinks that his irrationality is better than the Jew's intelligence because it is not contaminated with Judaism. Thus, he needs the Jew so that he can feel better, more than mediocre.

The origin of anti-Semitism
There is nothing in the history of any nation that justifies anti-Semitism. The ancient myth that Jews killed Jesus cannot, or should not, be the reason for modern anti-Semitism. The Romans crucified Jesus. Even if the myth is accepted, people should recognize that we cannot punish the current generation of Jews for deeds committed by a few two millennia in the past.

Current anti-Semitism, Sartre insists, is based upon what Christianity did to the Jews. The Church forced Jews to become money lenders so that Christians could avoid the sin of usury. This bred the still-persisting notion that Jews have and control money and take advantage of non-Jews for personal gain.

"It is society, not the decree of God, that has made him a Jew and brought the Jewish problem into being.... In this situation there is not one of us who is not totally guilty and even criminal; the Jewish blood that the Nazis shed falls on all our heads."

Other Sartre insights
Sartre also discusses related subjects: What about people who are not anti-Semites but who do nothing to help Jews? These people, says Sartre, are not human beings, and may be unconscious anti-Semites. Are Jews a race? No, because Jews in different countries differ in looks and habits. What is a Jew? The Jew is what Christians have made him. What keeps Jews Jewish? Persecution and other bad treatment of Jews by non-Jews do not allow them the chance to forget being Jewish. What is Jewish history? Most Jews know little more of the history of Judaism than how their ancestors were persecuted. What has anti-Semitism done to the Jew's thinking and his behavior? Sartre spends half his book describing the many adverse ways that Jews have been affected. He adds that non-Jews have also been affected by not allowing Jews to contribute what they can to improve society.

"What must be done," the French philosopher ends his book, "is to point out to each one that the fate of the Jews is his fate. Not one Frenchman will be free so long as the Jews do not enjoy the fullness of their rights. Not one Frenchman will be secure so long as a single Jew - in France or in the world at large - can fear for his life."

As Relevant now as it was more than Half a Century ago
This book is an excellent study on some of the origins of hate.Although Sartre may have wished to examine more the role of socialization as the fundamental root of prejudice, he does a good job in exposing the numerous "sins of omission"in religion and the media in causing hate, in this instance, the horrors of the Holocaust.He does so also with extreme rhetorical skill when he asks, for example:"Why were the concentration camps not in the news"?, or when he speaks of"Christian propaganda that the Jews killled Jesus."(It was the Romans.)Certainly, the world has advanced since then, (or so it seems) as evidenced in part by the late Pope John Paul II's apology for the role of Christianity in the Holocaust. And certainly that propaganda had nothing to do with what Christ taught, to do things for the "least of these" and to "love Thy neighbor."We can still see I think some of these forces at work today, especially in regard to extreme poverty throughout the world.It is as if "class" has become a new "blind spot".Why do we rarely hear about the one billion (referred often to as the "bottom billion") who go to bed starving each night, making each day merely a struggle to survive? What is it about our educational system and the media, that seem to block out such atrocities?We need to change all that, so that our minds (and hearts) are more open to the struggles of so many in the world.

Sartre is still relevant.
Sartre's work is still a classic.His insights are provocative and pointed.I am especially impressed by his comments on what is now called universal human rights.Sartre is concerned that in stressing our common humanness we forget that there are important difference that should not be ignored.

too limited to its time and country
This book, written just after World War II, tries to explain what makes anti-Semitism attractive to anti-Semites, the effect of anti-Semitism on Jews, and the ultimate causes of anti-Semitism.

In Sartre's view, "By treating the Jew as an interior and pernicious being, [the anti-Semite] affirm[s] at the same time that [he] belong[s] to the elite."In other words, every person is a king so long as he/she has someone to look down upon.This seems like a perfectly plausible interpretation of mid-century antisemitism; it seems to me, however, that today's Arab Jew-hatred has more concrete causes.

Sartre's description of Jews is a bit narrow.He writes that "the Jew considers himself the same as others.He speaks the same language; he has the same class interests, the same national interests; he reads the newspapers that the others read, he votes as they do, he understands and shares their opinions."And according to Sartre, these "inauthentic" Jews seek to avoid any trace of "Jewish traits."

Perhaps an accurate description of the most assimilated Jews in France in the 1940s- but certainly not of more religious Jews, or even of most American Jews (though I do know some who seek to avoid overly "Jewish" physical traits). Few of Sartre's generalizations are true of (for example) the most insular Hasidic sects, and some are equally untrue as to America's more liberal Jews.

Finally, Sartre argues that anti-Semitism is the result of capitalism and of social classes, because anti-Semites seek to unite the bourgeiousie and the proletariat.Given the existence of anti-Semitism in communist and precapitalist societies, this view seems to me implausible. ... Read more

Product Description
Truth and Existence, written in response to Martin Heidegger's Essence of Truth, is a product of the years when Sartre was reaching full stature as a philosopher, novelist, playwright, essayist, and political activist. This concise and engaging text not only presents Sartre's ontology of truth but also addresses the key moral questions of freedom, action, and bad faith.

Truth and Existence is introduced by an extended biographical, historical, and analytical essay by Ronald Aronson.

"Truth and Existence is another important element in the recently published links between Sartre's existentialist ontology and his later ethical, political, and literary concerns. . . . The excellent introduction by Aronson will help readers not experienced in reading Sartre."--Choice

"Accompanied by an excellent introduction, this dense, lucidly translated treatise reveals Sartre as a characteristically 20th-century figure."--Publishers Weekly ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Addition to Being and Nothingness
Further developing themes laid out in earlier works, specifically truth and ignorance as it relates to Being.The prose is dense at times, and you can tell in many places that this book was published unfinished-once in a while the ideas meander or are not clearly defined.Nevertheless, I found it to be a highly interesting read containing ideas that are both philosophically intriguing and personally relevant.A companion piece to Baing and Nothingness.

I don't speak French so I cannot personally evaluate the translation job, but the English here flows well enough.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
No Exit (Huis Close), The Flies (Les Mouches), Dirty Hands (Les Mains Sales), and The Respectful Prostitute (La Putain Respectueuse). ... Read more

Product Description
Contrapartida de las manos sucias según algunos críticos. Nekrasof es la apasionante pieza de carácter satírico y social en la que Jean-Paul Sartre ridiculizó los medios político periodísticos de la segunda posguerra francesa. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Garcin, r??volutionnaire l??che et mari cruel : douze balles dans la peau ; In??s, femme d??moniaque qui rendra folle de douleur sa jeune amante : asphyxie par le gaz ; Estelle, coquette sans coeur qui noie son enfant adult??rin : pneumonie fulgurante. Morts, tous les trois. Mais le plus dur reste ?? faire. Ils ne se connaissent pas, et pourtant, ils se retrouvent dans un hideux salon dont on ne part jamais. Ils ont l'??ternit?? pour faire connaissance : quelques heures leur suffiront pour comprendre qu'ils sont leurs bourreaux respectifs. "L'enfer, c'est les autres". Tous les th??mes sartriens sont l??, orchestr??s avec brio : la valeur de l'engagement, le poids des actes, les limites de la responsabilit??. Avec Huis clos, le grand pr??tre de l'existentialisme signait l'une des ses pi??ces les plus fortes : la sc??ne se pr??tait bien ?? ces r??quisitoires concis et percutants, que l'on retrouvera dans Les Mouches et surtout Les Mains sales. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

C'EST LES AUTRES...
Mettez un lâche, une femme qui a rendu sa compagne folle, et une pyromane? Tous les trois morts dans un petit salon de l'enfer, donnez leur l'éternité (en théorie) pour faire connaissance et peu de temps après vous le saurez aussi. Comme Sartre l'a découvert; L'ENFER C'EST LES AUTRES!!!! On a peu d'éléments pour se reconnaître dans chacun d'eux (moi non peut-être que vous...?!!!) mais on peut quand même sentir leur enfer nous gagner. Ce succès suivi des Mouches est un très bon moyen pour découvrir Sartre et toute votre vie vous le saurez l'ENFER C'EST...
>>>>> Nelly

L'ENFERC'ESTLESAUTRES ...
Dans L'HUIS CLOS l'auteur nous raconte l'histoire de 3 personnages condamnés "pour l'éternité" à partager l'intimité d'un sordide chambre d'hôtel. Fusillés dans des mystérieuses circonstances, une femme de monde infanticide, une lesbienne meurtrière et un intellectuel révolutionnaire découvrent qu'ils sont en enfer par le seul pouvoir que chacun d'entre eux jette sur l'autre... (= L'ENFER C'EST LES AUTRES). Faite bien attention lorsque cette pièce en un acte est très dense. De la contingence à la liberté, cette oeuvre témoigne d'une prise de conscience, c'est-à-dire de la DIFFICULTE POUR L'HOMME D'ASSUMER SA LIBERTE lorsqu'il est confronté aux regard des autres. J'ai lu L'Huis Clos six fois: ce livre n'a PAS D'EGAL. Lisez cette oeuvre SI IMPORTANT de Sartre, spécialement pour mieux comprendre le monde d'aujourd'hui!! Je le vous conseille de tout coeur!

LES MOUCHES nous raconte le même récit comme dans ELECTRE de Sophocle, mais d'un point de vue moderne. L'histoire est bien connue: après le meurtre sur Agamemnon, Electre sait sauver la vie d'Oreste. Dans la version sartrienne le royaume d'Argos est devenue une place de pénitence permanente où les gens déplorent leurs péchés. Ceci est encouragé par les dieux, puisque comme ça le peuple vît en pleine foi et crainte des dieux... Enfin, Oreste (dans un moment de la plus HAUTE LUCIDITE), après avoir entendu les conseils de Jupiter et d'Electre - qu'il veut sauver - sent QU'IL FAUT PRENDRE UNE DECISION. Cette pièce (en 3 actes) est en fait une attaque sur l'idée de la religion. Le seul outil possible quant à la "LIBERTE" d'Oreste est ... la responsabilité. Comme ça, Jean-Paul Sartre nous montre d'une MANIERE SPLENDIDE ET REVELANTE ... L'ABSOLU DE LA LIBERTE. A lire, n'importe quand!

L'HUIS CLOS et LES MOUCHES ont beaucoup en commun. Quant au contenu: tout ce que l'on puisse se souhaiter. Le plus important que Sartre nous montre: L'IMPORTANCE ET L'UNIVERSALITE DANS LA VIE QU'EST LA LIBERTE INDIVIDUELLE. Vous trouverez encore d'autres thèmes commun. Ce bouquin est TRES IMPORTANT ET MODERNE. Personne d'autre nous a pu EXPLIQUER ces thèmes d'une façon si CLAIRE ET CORRECTE (une "signature" de Sartre...). On PARLE BEAUCOUP DE LA LIBERTE mais qu'est-ce que c'est EN FAIT? Lisez et vous saurez, j'en suis sûr. RECOMMENDE DE TOUT COEUR!!!

un brillant exercice de style!
Une oeuvre exeptionnelle.

Résumé :

L'action se déroule dans un univers fictif : l'enfer. Venant de mourir, 3 personnages y arrivent pour y subir leur damnation éternelle.

Aspect 1 :Le style crédible :

Certes, le style de « Huis clos » ne constitue pas, en apparence, un modèle de perfection littéraire, mais toutefois, ce choix volontaire rend l'histoire considérablement plus réelle.

En effet, le sujet amenait forcément à de différents styles de langage.
Par nature fantastique, l'univers des morts vivants apparaît trop irréel, une écriture classique aurait accentué l'irréalisme.

Par ailleurs, chaque personnage a sa propre identité et provient d'un milieu social différent. Il est donc naturel que les personnages aient des niveaux de langage différent, ce qui est révélateur de leur personnalité.

Le lecteur ne s'ennuie pas, car le texte est ponctué de plusieurs gammes de tons : l'ironie ( ines : au mon dieu), humour, accents tragiques et lyriques.

Ainsi donc, l'écriture de « Huis clos » se révèle plus élaborée qu'elle ne le semble de prime abord. Elle est efficace et riche, d'une vigueur en définitive exemplaire.

Aspect 2 : les temps qui rendent l'œuvre exceptionnelle :

De toute évidence, le temps estun sujet compliqué, car l'éternité est une perception compliquée à exprimer.

Sartre a réussi une prouesse en la rendant concevable.

En effet, dès le début de l'histoire, Sartre brise habilement la chronologie, le temps de la terre est décalé face à celui de l'enfer. (Estelle : la vie passe vite sur terre).
L' accélérationse fait plus rapide quand les personnages perdent contact avec la terre (...), ce qui ajoute à la perception d'un jour unique et continu.
De plus, le fait que l'éternité est omniprésente, les damnés savent tous deux, ce qui ronge leur conscience, et le lecteur comprend facilement leur torture mentale, les personnages sont à nu devant le regard des autres et donc la célèbre phrase « l'enfer c'est les autres » est facilement comprise, et cela évite de longue description mentales monotones.

Pour conclure, Sartre a merveilleusement donné l'impression d' éternité, ce qui rend l'histoire quasiment réelle.

Aspect 3 : l'univers narratif exceptionnel :

L'univers narratif fantastique de Sartreindiqueclairement ses valeurs religieuses.
Il se moque de l'enfer perçu par les chrétiens ( ..).

D'ailleurs, l'univers, montre le supplice qu'éprouvent les damnés.
Les allusions aux objets manquant (miroir, brosse à dent), réussissent à un dépaysement total au lecteur, pour marquerla différence d'avec un appartement normal et pour souligner le fait qu'ils sont morts.

En plus, les lecteurs imaginent clairement l'idée de renfermement, car l'univers narratif fait clairement comprendre l'idée sartrienne de l'enfer : c est un lieu qui englobe tout, un labyrinthe sans fin. Par exemple (...)

Voilà donc les raisons pour lesquelles, l'univers narratif rend l'histoire suggestive et concevable.

"Hell is other people"
A one-act play about three people, Joseph Garcin, Inez Serrano, and Estelle Rigault, who are put into a single room in hell where they are locked up for eternity with no mirrors, but only each other for company and yet from whom they cannot escape.Highly recommend for students of all ages.

intellectual and great
I am french, and Huis Clos is one of the most importants books i read when i was a teenager, looking for truth about adult behavior... It's really intellectual, but not artificial, and makes you think a lot about what isgoing on between people, and what you learned growing up. ... Read more

Product Description
El filosofo frances Jean-Paul Sastre publica en 1943 El ser y la nada, obra en la que se halla expuesta y sistematizada su metafisica. Este ensayo de ontologia fenomenologica define el ambito en el que operan el en si y el para si, asociados respectivamente al ser absoluto y el ser consciente, y postula la tesis central del existencialismo sartreano: el yo no es puro espiritu, sino conciencia determinada por unas circunstancias. ... Read more