The Age of Reason by Jean-Paul Sartre- 2
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engh_2016A few chapters into the book, Sartre brings the first proper reference to the political background of the times. In the previous post I wrote about the personalities and private lives of the characters. With the introduction of Sarah and Brunet, Mathieu’s friends, the novel expands beyond the personal sphere into that of 1938 France. Sarah takes in a Jewish refugee as one of the pensioners in her house, which infuriates Brunet. Brunet receives information that this man might have been a spy earlier and hence cannot be trusted, but Sarah refuses to let him go. Perhaps they portray the two ways in which the French comprehended the conditions of a country that was at the edge of war.
As the discussion takes place, Sartre develops the characters of Sarah and Brunet for us, through Mathieu’s point of view. Brunet, especially, is described in great detail, because he is someone who affects Mathieu with his presence. He seems to find Brunet intimidating, he is terrified of being judged by Brunet. Brunet also depicts all the things Mathieu wants to be, but cannot. He says Brunet had an air about him, a worldly, revolutionary aura. In contrast, Mathieu sees himself, a philosophy teacher, as someone less important, with problems that seemed insignificant compared to those Brunet faced as a member of the Party. Brunet and Mathieu used to be good friends but drifted apart and through this encounter there is somehow more depth added to Mathieu’s character, as a person who clearly thinks a lot about everything, not necessarily expressing it always, a person who feels restricted.
The essence of Existentialism is freedom, according to Sartre, and Brunet enjoys a kind of freedom and agency that Mathieu is unable to get a hold of. Sartre depicts this very clearly by putting both of them in a scene together, where one is sure and decisive about his political opinions (Brunet) and the other is unsure and reluctant to share his thoughts due to the fear of being judged (Mathieu). Brunet exercises freedom through his confidence, while Mathieu is constantly holding himself back. I find it amazing that Sartre gives us an insight into both the personal and public life in the story, both at once, so naturally.
As the discussion takes place, Sartre develops the characters of Sarah and Brunet for us, through Mathieu’s point of view. Brunet, especially, is described in great detail, because he is someone who affects Mathieu with his presence. He seems to find Brunet intimidating, he is terrified of being judged by Brunet. Brunet also depicts all the things Mathieu wants to be, but cannot. He says Brunet had an air about him, a worldly, revolutionary aura. In contrast, Mathieu sees himself, a philosophy teacher, as someone less important, with problems that seemed insignificant compared to those Brunet faced as a member of the Party. Brunet and Mathieu used to be good friends but drifted apart and through this encounter there is somehow more depth added to Mathieu’s character, as a person who clearly thinks a lot about everything, not necessarily expressing it always, a person who feels restricted.
The essence of Existentialism is freedom, according to Sartre, and Brunet enjoys a kind of freedom and agency that Mathieu is unable to get a hold of. Sartre depicts this very clearly by putting both of them in a scene together, where one is sure and decisive about his political opinions (Brunet) and the other is unsure and reluctant to share his thoughts due to the fear of being judged (Mathieu). Brunet exercises freedom through his confidence, while Mathieu is constantly holding himself back. I find it amazing that Sartre gives us an insight into both the personal and public life in the story, both at once, so naturally.
