Sylvia Plath Double Standards Essay

Plath explores society’s strict standards for women, examining how such standards effectually dismantle an individual’s psyche. For one, Esther strongly disagrees with the societal double standard on sex. Esther opines, “I couldn’t stand the idea of a woman having to have a single pure life and a man being able to have a double life, one pure and one not” (Plath, 81). Esther experiences the extent to which masculine exceptionalism — the male gaze — has influenced women’s roles in society. However, Esther resists appeasing the societal notion of an ideal woman — “a single pure life” — through her sexual curiosity and rejection of feminine submission. At the same time, though, Esther’s sexual desires render her socially abnormal. However, abnormality …show more content…
Much of Esther’s pressure stems from her mother, whose traditional ideals dictate that a happy marriage is the ultimate success. Esther never delves deeply into her past relationship with her mother, but their interactions reveal Esther’s emotional wounds. Most notably, before her suicide attempt, Esther recalls her distress when her mother demonstrated little grief after her father’s death. Through her reflection, Esther insinuates that her psychological trauma stems largely from her scarred relationship with her mother. Though Esther thoughtfully avoids revisiting their relationship, her mother’s worldview has tremendously shaped her character. Like Salinger and Fitzgerald, Plath utilizes abstraction to underscore the depth of Esther’s agony. In her mother’s view, Esther has failed her role as a woman. Over time, such belief takes an insidious toll on Esther’s psyche, for Esther cannot control “even [herself].” Therefore, although Esther attempts to embrace her independence, society’s perpetuation of feminine normality ultimately shatters her