The+Wall



= Sartre's 'The Wall' = = = = For Journal = **“The Wall” by Jean Paul Sarte** **Question: How does this story support the existential view that life is absolutely absurd.** Pablo Ibbieta: Narrator and revolutionary. Juan Mirabel: Quiet, young, confused for someone else. Tom Steinbock: A prisoner who narrator knew prior. Ramon Gris: The man the guards are looking for. Pedro: A guard who sits outside their cell. The Belgian: A doctor who visits prior to execution.
 * Characters **


 * Answer these questions in your journal. **
 * 1) How does the narrator change physically between the beginning and end of the story?
 * 2) When the doctor appears, he appears friendly and cordial, even offering ‘a smoke’ to the men. Why then does the narrator dislike him?
 * 3) Trace Juan’s behavior. Why is Juan’s reaction so different than the narrator’s?
 * 4) Why doesn’t the narrator want to know the details of the execution plan?
 * 5) Explain the narrator’s change of feelings of Concha and disinterest in sending her a message.
 * 6) What does “I want to die cleanly” mean?
 * 7) Despite the fact that the narrator cares very little for the man the guards are after, he chooses to deceive the guards on one last wild goose chase. Why is this ironic?
 * 8) Explain the final line of the story: “I laughed so hard I cried.”
 * 9) Suggest where you believe the narrator goes from here.

**Journal Reflection Paragraph:** The story is titled “The Wall”. Consider the meaning of this title and explain your interpretation.