Questions About The Bell Jar

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Answered Questions (50)

I find Esther's descent into insanity a little rushed or hasty, but I have never experienced mental trauma like hers. Is it relatable to anyone else? Has anyone gone through what Esther is experiencing and could shed some light on this?

Jessica Cervantes This book is a sort of autobiography for Sylvia Plath. She writes a story about her experiences in college and her early battles with depression and s…moreThis book is a sort of autobiography for Sylvia Plath. She writes a story about her experiences in college and her early battles with depression and suicide. I don't think she actually goes insane, but she does become severely depressed.

I have experienced clinical depression before and this is a good representation of it. When depressed, you can't find the energy or will to do the most simple things like take a shower. Focusing on tasks such as reading or watching TV become impossible because you just don't seem to have the ability to keep your mind on them for long enough. Morbid or dark thoughts are on repeat in your brain and you just don't care enough to form any attachments or relationships with people. It seems her depression started with the death of her father at age 9 (she states she hasn't been truly happy since) and slowly progressed until her return home from New York where she has a full on mental break down. This is the part that would seem fast, but that is how break down's are. They come on suddenly and are quite debilitating. If you can relate to depression then it is easier to see the signs and symptoms in her earlier experiences in the story.

The bell jar is a metaphor for her depression. It covers her, keeps her isolated from the world and distorts her view of life. She also says "stewing in my own sour air" under the jar meaning she is trapped in her depressive thoughts.

It was interesting to see the difference in treatment methods used then and now. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Hope this shed's some light on her mental state. (less)

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Someone explain Joan to me. I can sense that there's some big symbolic purpose to her that's flown over my head. I didn't care about her or her story or the reasons for what happened to her, and I'd love it explained.

Johanna For me Joan represented the sturdy functioning type of person who you imagine sails through life without a hitch. When she appeared to have mental hea…moreFor me Joan represented the sturdy functioning type of person who you imagine sails through life without a hitch. When she appeared to have mental health issues it almost seemed like she was dabbling in it, a bit of a project to see how life in a clinic may be. It's a big lesson in never knowing the turmoil that goes on inside even the strongest seeming person's head.(less)

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I read this a few month ago and I loved it ! SPOILERS BEWARE !!!! I have a question though I hope somebody can answer: there is one event in this book I don't understand , as in I don't understand the meaning behind it , if there is any deep meaning that is, it's when Esther loses her virginity and starts to bleed. Can anybody shed some light to this events meaning? Thank you!

Sarah Norman

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What was the reason for Esther's bleeding and why wasn't the reader explained this?

Kerri Davis So here's my theory- it's largely indicative of the inherent misogyny and misdiagnosis of women within the medical fields at the time, but also still …moreSo here's my theory- it's largely indicative of the inherent misogyny and misdiagnosis of women within the medical fields at the time, but also still arguably relevant today. It also ties into the themes of men having control over women's bodies that you see throughout the book.

This is shown a lot through Buddy and his med student antics and his med school friends. He jokes with Esther that "You oughtn't to see this. You'll never want to have a baby if you do. They oughtn't to let women watch. It'll be the end of the human race" when he takes her to witness a birth. The ambiguity of the doctor's diagnosis at the ER suggests that women's health at this time, what was wrong with them, was never fully explained to them thereby removing autonomy over their own body. This can be seen throughout Esther's stay at the asylum because she seemed to just be shunted around without being positively affirmed or explained to that she was making a progression or a regression. Deliberately not explaining any of this to the reader leaves you with a sense of confusion and helplessness, connecting us with Esther and what she was going through. (less)

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