The Wall by Jean-Paul Sartre. Short summary

5 seconds

The Republican Pablo survived a psychological execution. Wanting to mock the executioners, he unwittingly betrayed the whereabouts of his commander, and he was killed. Upon learning of this, Pablo broke down.

1 minute

The Spanish Civil War. Pablo Ibbiet was taken prisoner. He is asked where commander Ramon Gris is.

Among those arrested was a random young man, Juan. The policemen didn’t ask him anything. Everyone was told that the sentence would be announced in the cells.

In the cell Pablo found himself with the rebel Tom and Juan. The Republicans assured the young man that he would be released because he had nothing to do with it. But the commandant informed him that all three were sentenced to be shot. A Belgian doctor came in with two guards. He said he wanted to help, but the rebels knew he had come out of scientific interest — to watch people who knew they would be shot.

Juan was hysterical. Pablo was trembling, covered in sweat. He saw a wall he wanted to push against, pushing him away.

In the morning, the comrades were taken away to be shot. To taunt his enemies, Pablo said Ramon Gris was in the cemetery. He was led to the courtyard.

An acquaintance of Garcia’s said that Gris had quarreled with his brother and had gone to the cemetery. That’s where he was shot and killed. When Pablo heard this, he fell down and started laughing.