The Bell Jar
question
Is it really that good?
Djellza
Nov 01, 2024 02:37PM
I just finished The Bell Jar, after hearing so much hype around it, but I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. While I appreciated the insightful portrayal of depression and could see why the fig tree analogy resonates with so many readers, the overall impact felt somewhat lacking. The book does offer a raw look into mental illness, which was probably groundbreaking for its time. However, parts of it particularly the instances of racism and homophobia were hard to overlook and dampened the experience for me. I can understand its literary importance, but I didn’t find it as revolutionary as I expected.
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I liked the book because the portrayal of depression and because I personally relate to that experience of being under a ber jall, but as you said, racism and homophobia were like okay girl not a surprise coming from a white American woman in the 30s or something. Personally that's why I avoid reading white writers (from those years), specially if they're from the United States or Spain. But I can't fight relating to her experience in terms of depression, and I liked feeling like I am not alone in this.
I think it's revolutionary because of her critics about sexism and overall about being a woman at that point in time. I think those words were as clear as today's dialogue, something that wasn't happening at her own time, and I admire that.
I think it's revolutionary because of her critics about sexism and overall about being a woman at that point in time. I think those words were as clear as today's dialogue, something that wasn't happening at her own time, and I admire that.
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