1. THE WALL
By Jean-Paul Sartre

2. Historical Context During the 1800s:
Spain has lagged behind other Western European countries in economic developments.
It has been politically unstable, experiencing violent strikes, assassinations, military plots and separatist movements throughout the early 1900s.

3. Historical Context
After World War I, a Spanish general, Primo, established himself as a military dictator.
Primo lost power in 1930.
New government wanted to lessened the power of the church. The Falangists wanted to preserve the power of the church. Here the war is brewing.

4. Historical Context
Spanish Civil War

5. Author Born in 1905 A teacher Taught philosophy
First publication was The Wall and Other Stories
Explored the ideas of “bad faith” or what happens when people deny moral responsibility for their behavior

6. The Story First published in 1937
Best known of Sartre’s five short stories
Was his personal response to the Spanish Civil War

7. Annotations

8. Discussion Questions
Compare the reactions of the three condemned men to their imminent execution.
How is the ending ironic? How does the ending relate to existentialism?
One of the themes is death. What do you think Sartre is conveying about death?
What does the wall symbolize?