This excerpt from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar describes the main character’s feelings that madness separates her from the outside world. Referring to those feelings as the “bell jar,” Plath explores the themes of reality, sexuality, and femininity. Plath also creates a tone of hopelessness and gloom as the main character battles with suicidal depression.
Esther Greenwood is full of academic promise and ambition. She should be thrilled with her progress towards her career, but she feels isolated and depressed from society because of its expectations of young women.
The novel challenges women’s roles in society and the stereotype that marriage and children should be a woman’s first priority. Esther mentions that she doesn't want to marry.
Esther Greenwood is full of academic promise and ambition. She should be thrilled with her progress towards her career, but she feels isolated and depressed from society because of its expectations of young women.
The novel challenges women’s roles in society and the stereotype that marriage and children should be a woman’s first priority. Esther mentions that she doesn't want to marry.