A Theatre and Its Double

Jean-Paul Sartre’s "What Is Literature?" includes "A Theatre and Its Double," where he explores the relationship between writers and their works. Sartre argues that literature is a form of active engagement with reality, reflecting societal issues and human experiences. He emphasizes that authors do not create in isolation; instead, their works are intertwined with the social and political contexts they emerge from. Literature serves as a "double" of theatre—an artistic platform that both represents and influences society, urging writers and readers to recognize the power of art in shaping collective awareness and change.