Fr 139 Jean-Paul Sartre: "The Wall"
Reading Questions

Sartre wrote "The Wall" in 1939.  The story is set during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), a complex conflict between Spanish Republicans (supporters of the Republic government) and Nationalists (which included fascists and monarchists).  The war ended in the defeat of the Republicans and the rise to power of dictator Francisco Franco. 

1.  Why are the three men in prison?

2.  How does each man behave the night before the executions? 
Pablo (the narrator):
Tom:
Juan:


3.  Why is the doctor there, according to Pablo?


4.  How does impending death make Pablo feel about himself, others, his own body? his life?


5.  Why isn't Pablo executed with the others?


6.  Why does Pablo refuse to give up the whereabouts of Ramon Gris?


7.  How does the end of the story reinforce Pablo's notion that life is absurd?