An Existentialist View of The
An Existentialist View of The Sweet HereafterJean-Paul Sartre's concepts have always fascinated critical thinkers and creative artists alike. In this paper I am going to evaluate his many topics and schools of thought as explained in the book Ten Theories of Human Nature by Leslie Stevenson. I intend to specifically explore the concepts of good and bad faith using examples from Atom Egoyan's film, The Sweet Hereafter. I shall draw existential parallels between Sartre's concepts and Egoyan's in order to point out certain motivations that are found within the characters of Egoyan's film. I will especially focus on the film's main characters and how the concept of community versus outsiders affects themJean-Paul Sartre defines the universe as being absurd and without God. He denies the existence of God merely because he feels that the responsibility of a man's life belongs in the hands of himself and nothing else. Sartre believes that if man believed in the existence of God, he would not try to make his life meaningful knowing that he had God as a safety net. Therefore, once man denies the existence of God and realizes that he has to depend on himself and only himself for his survival, he will be forced to take his existence into
In Atom Egoyan's film, The Sweet Hereafter, the small town community of Sam Dent is faced with an existential crisis. his own hands and make it meaningful. He drives an expensive car, wears nice suits, and flies first class. They would help each other out, do kind things for each other, and treat one another like they were family. Frankly he does not need the money, He is involving himself in the case because he sympathizes for the families who have lost their children. Sartre would define Zoe's character as living in bad faith. In one of the most important scenes in the movie, Nicole demonstrates how she has the upper hand against her father by the lie that she tells in court. Her dad supported her endeavors and even built her a stage to perform on. We find out in the film that Zoe has a nasty drug problem that keeps her frequenting drug rehabilitation and treatment centers. And while the townspeople of Sam Dent did not receive any money due to Nicole, they realize that their community bond was much more important than any monetary compensation. Even though Nicole does not want to have sex with her dad, it has become the accepted norm in the family's routine. Risa however is the opposite of her husband. After the tragic accident however, the entire town's mentality changes, the community brakes up and everyone takes on this "every man for himself" attitude. Stevens' own personal tragedy gets spilled into every case he tackles and even though he looses Nicole, he gains much knowledge about his life and how to handle his own daughter. He insists that they can work it out together.
Common topics in this essay:
Sam Dent,
Mitchell Stevens,
Nicole Nicole,
Jean-Paul Sartre,
Wendell Walker's,
Sweet Hereafter,
Unbeknownst Nicole,
Billy Ansel,
Mary Burnell,
Stevens Wendell,
sam dent,
mitchell stevens,
town sam dent,
town sam,
bad faith,
existence god,
egoyan's film,
monetary compensation,
bus accident,
community sam,
sweet hereafter,
lawyer mitchell stevens,
egoyan's film sweet,
denies existence god,
film sweet hereafter,
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Acceptance Essays
