How do the literary elements serve the theme of the play?Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit [Huis Clos]

In Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit. the
philosophy of Existentialism prevails.  Here are some literary
elements.

The motif of
freedom. 

The three characters, Garcin,
Inez, and Estella are all cowardly.  Garcin has a chance for freedom when the door is
opened, but he cannot leave for fear of what lies beyond.  Inez tells Estella to look
into her eyes and see her own reflection when Estella is dismayed that there are no
mirrors, indicating that Estella's existence depends upon the opinions of
others.

Theme of Existential
absurdity 

The three characters engage in
conflicts because of their insecurities and fear of freedom.  Inez depends upon Estella,
Estella depends upon Garcin and vice versa.  This fear leads to the absurdity of life,
for one must create one's own existence through freedom and responsibility, according to
Existentialism.

Symbolism

The
garish and tediously overdone Second Empire style room symbolizes the disharmony and
anguish of the three characters.

The bell, which does not
often ring represents their disconnection to the real
world.

The clashing colors of the couches--wine red, livid
green, and blue symbolize the clashing personalities of the
characters.

The door indicates that for the characters
there is no way out as an individual.

The inability to
blink symbolizes "no exit" from the states in which the three find themselves.  "So one
has to live with one's eyes open all the time?" asks
Garcin.

The paper knife symbolizes the futility of Estella
to change what her fate is.  She is already dead and responsible for what her life has
been.

The one-act play follows the classic rule of unity,
action, and place.  There is one setting and a singleness of theme and action toward the
development of this existential theme.