The Bell Jar Plath

The Bell Jar is written by Sylvia Plath and published by William Heinemann Limited in London in 1963. This is the only novel written by American author and poet Plath and was first published under the name Victoria Lucas. This semi-autobiography based in New York City in 1953 tells the story of Esther Greenwood and her journey in the city and road down depression. Plath focuses on theme such as restricted roles of women in the 50’s in America and with sub-themes like success equals career. Esther Greenwood is from the suburbs of Boston that won a summer internship at a magazine called Ladies Day. Her and eleven other college ladies had specific schedules that include work, fashion events and parties. There she meets good girl Betsy, reckless and careless Doreen and Jay Cee Greenwoods hardworking manager. I think each of these characters …show more content…
In the 1950’s both women and men were conformed with their social roles in order to live the American Dream. Every American's goal was to have a nuclear family where women were to keep the family running united and strong and men kept the family financially strong. Women's roles were to stay at home and take care of the husband and their children. Women were also expected to stay pure. In the novel Esther states that people were separated into two categories “the people who slept with somebody and people who hadn’t…”. She decides to lose her virginity to see is she would feel different being on the other side of the spectrum. Later on a date with Marco, a poshy New Yorker, slut-shamed her and attempted to rape her. Fortunately, she manages to escape. She also mentions how she views the world through a bell jar, a distorted view. Plath knew that the social roles were not right and she felt trapped because not many other people, that she knew, agreed with her. I think she felt alone and pressured by her mother to be a successful in a practical career like