Literary Analysis of No Exit and Night Flight: The Role of Men and Women - Essay Example

Eagly and Steffen state that “According to stereotypic beliefs about the sexes, women are more communal (selfless and concerned with others) and less agentic (self-assertive and motivated to master) than men” (735). They further observe that “(a) Women are more likely than men to hold positions of lower status and authority, and (b) women are more likely than men to be homemakers and are less likely to be employed in the paid work force.” However, one will find that there are times when certain individuals will choose to diverge from these preconceived notions regarding men and women and chart a different image for themselves.

Thesis: No Exit and Night Flight are two stories that explore the roles of men and women in society. However, a literary analysis and comparison of these two works reveals two very different sides of the notions regarding gender roles, as Night Flight defends the traditional roles occupied by the two sexes and how people inadvertently assent to them, while No Exit disputes these notions and asserts that there are many individuals who contradict them. This subject is important due to the fact that the roles of men and women have great implications upon us as they govern the very fabric of human existence.

It is therefore important to understand the varying stances adopted by the two authors as this will enable greater comprehension of gender roles as well as how it affects the behavioral patterns of individuals. In my opinion, gender roles are being challenged today to a certain degree, but in order for us to become more open-minded, it is imperative to find a central path between the two extremes. While it is important for us to maintain our physiological differences and fulfill certain individual responsibilities, it is equally important for women to assume more significant roles outside the household and to realize their full potential.

No Exit, by Jean Paul Satre follows three characters who have been condemned to “hell”, for the evil deeds committed by them. Here, Satre has represented hell, not in its biblical or Christian sense, where the sinners and transgressors are tortured, but as a room, with no windows and only one door, and where the inhabitants are left alone with their thoughts and the other persons that reside therein. As the play unfolds, the audience is made aware of the sins committed by the individuals that have caused them to be here, including adultery, murder and cowardice.

Through this explication, the author has showed us the differing gender roles adopted by men and women but more importantly how certain individuals will tend to deviate from these norms. Though the expected norm is for a man to be brave and fearless, Joseph Garcin is a coward and refuses to accept his responsibilities, made abundantly clear by his deserting his wife and the army. On the other hand, the women of the play, Ines Serrano and Estelle Rigault are bold and audacious, unlike what society expects of them.

Ines is a lesbian, guilty of turning a wife against her husband and Estelle is guilty of adultery and murder. They fail to conform not only to the expectations of being faithful housewives, but also being shameful and abashed at their crimes. Night Flight follows the story of Fabien, an airmail pilot and how he is compelled by his boss, Riviere to make a flight delivery during a thunderstorm, which leads to him losing his life. Here, the author has chosen to