.2. Sylvia Plath and Esther Greenwood The novel is the story of a young woman struggling with her mental health. As such, it is a complex account of schizophrenic psychosis in a young woman (Garrido,1). The Bell Jar does not follow the usual trajectory of the Bildungs roman. The protagonist is nineteen-year-old Esther Greenwood. Instead of passing the usual developmental milestones leading to adulthood, young Esther regresses into madness. Being a student at renowned Smith College, she wins an internship at a fashion magazine in New York on account of her academic excellence. Since Esther’s ambition is to become a writer, she welcomes this opportunity at first, but soon after returning home to her mother, she finds herself in a severe
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It examines Esther’s “quest to forge her own identity, to be herself rather than what others except her to be” (Perloff ,1). Esther is anticipated to become a self sufficient women and self-sacrificing wife-mother, without any option to attain independence. Esther feels she held against her will to domestic duties and fears the loss of her inner self. The novel does not follow the usual trajectory of adolescent development into adulthood. Instead of experiencing a progressive education in the ways of the world, culminating in an entrance into adulthood, Esther returns into madness. Esther’s first time in New York City, her first marriage proposal, her success in education, all upsets her. Instead of finding a new understanding in life, Esther has a desire to die (Chandran,411). …show more content…
I could never settle down in either the country or the city ” (89). Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving distress but neither delusions nor hallucinations. The psychoneurosis are minor mental disorder characterized by inner struggles and disturbed social relationship. Two essential features of psychoneurosis are that they are precipitated by emotional stresses, conflicts and frustrations (depression-guide.com). This definition explains Esther’s situation in particular. Esther represent s her first evident signs of neurosis at the country dance club in New York
It examines Esther’s “quest to forge her own identity, to be herself rather than what others except her to be” (Perloff ,1). Esther is anticipated to become a self sufficient women and self-sacrificing wife-mother, without any option to attain independence. Esther feels she held against her will to domestic duties and fears the loss of her inner self. The novel does not follow the usual trajectory of adolescent development into adulthood. Instead of experiencing a progressive education in the ways of the world, culminating in an entrance into adulthood, Esther returns into madness. Esther’s first time in New York City, her first marriage proposal, her success in education, all upsets her. Instead of finding a new understanding in life, Esther has a desire to die (Chandran,411). …show more content…
I could never settle down in either the country or the city ” (89). Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving distress but neither delusions nor hallucinations. The psychoneurosis are minor mental disorder characterized by inner struggles and disturbed social relationship. Two essential features of psychoneurosis are that they are precipitated by emotional stresses, conflicts and frustrations (depression-guide.com). This definition explains Esther’s situation in particular. Esther represent s her first evident signs of neurosis at the country dance club in New York