DEMONSTRATING ABSURDITY BY BEING ABSURD.

I thought the purpose of existential philosophy was to make people feel unsafe.  Silly me.

A petition has been launched against Western Washington University Department of Theatre’s decision to showcase the existentialist play “No Exit” this fall.

The petition argues the script is problematic because it gender stereotypes women and lesbians and puts a man in a quasi-leadership role, which perpetuates patriarchy.

Old Jean might have had to say "yes, dear" to Simone, but his plays might have been his way of talking back.  Maybe he wasn't as down for Simone playing both ways as he let on. But wait, there's more.

The petition also argues the play is inappropriate at this time because it is set in one room in which the characters cannot escape, thus may be too “mentally taxing for the community to watch. Especially if we are still in quarantine at that time.”

“This play is not challenging, but instead is reinforcing classical notions of womanhood designed by the patriarchy,” the petition states, adding “it is disturbing and unacceptable.”

“No Exit” is a play by French philosopher and existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre. Penned in 1944, it’s about three people trapped in a room, and as they spend more time in it they come to realize that being trapped in eternity with the same three people is hell as opposed to fire and brimstone.

The play’s most famous line — “Hell is other people” — comes toward the end when the male character realizes this.

Good writing is supposed to shine a light (or is it direct a lens?) on aspects of life otherwise unexamined, and calling attention to quarantine conditions in a way that might be manifesting itself at the divorce lawyer's office is one way for that light to shine.  Good grief.