Men Without Shadows

MEN WITHOUT SHADOWS (MORTS SANS SEPULTURES) was written by Jean-Paul Satre in 1946. The play is set in 1944 and concerns the capture of five french resistors after a failed action against the Vichy-occupying forces. Awaiting interview by their capturers these young people discuss what they will or won't do or say under the pressure of torture. The three interrogators, similarly, discuss throughout the proceedings what pressures they should apply.

Satre's philosophic musings and theories are aired throughout the proceedings: "The meaning of man's life is not established before his existence. Once the terrible freedom is acknowledged (free will), man has to make this meaning himself, has to commit himself to a role in this world, has to commit his freedom...". All these people, in this play, will give meaning to their lives through the choice of what they do or say on this day of testing. They will commit to a role in this world: hero or coward.