Scene X

Garcin believes that the three of them have been thrown together for a reason, probably as a trap. He suggests that they try and help one another; he claims that it just "needs a little effort . . . a spark of human feeling." Inez, however, states that she does not need any help and declares that human emotions are beyond her range since she is rotten to the core. She compares herself to a dead twig, ready to be burned and incapable of giving or receiving. Garcin does not agree with her. He says that she will need help dealing with Estelle, who is probably meant to be Inez's torturer. Inez tells him to keep his pity to himself.

Garcin, the thinker in the group, has decided that the best approach is for the three of them to try and help one another. Inez ridicules such a thought; she says she is incapable of helping another person, for she is like a dried up twig with no emotion to give and rotten to the core. Surprisingly, Garcin does not agree with her self- assessment. He also emphasizes the fact that Inez will surely need help dealing with Estelle, who is clearly meant to be her torturer.

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