This famous quote from Sartre reflects his existentialist view on the tension between individual freedom and the influence of others. Sartre suggests that the presence of other people can be a source of conflict, because they impose their judgments, expectations, and perspectives upon us. The phrase “hell” in this context doesn’t refer to a literal place of suffering, but rather to the psychological torment that comes from being constantly objectified and defined by others. When we interact with others, we are often seen through their eyes, which means we are reduced to an identity that may not reflect our true selves. This external gaze, which Sartre refers to as the look, alienates us from our own authenticity and creates a constant tension between how we see ourselves and how others see us.