Book Review
The Bell Jar (1963)
Sylvia Plath
I related to Esther more than I was comfortable to admit, which is why I liked this book so much. Esther's roadblock is eery similar to mine, and I vividly understand what it is standing at the end of the road and not knowing what to do. The end of the story is hopeful, and beautiful because it was a rebirth through pain and depression. Esther also struggles to fight conventional expectations of women in the 50s, a battle women still fight today. She understands the double standard of society, and seeks self-determination, specially sexual liberation by acquiring a diaphragm.Sylvia Plath
I fell in love with Esther Greenwood semicomic wit during a two day sting at the bureaucratic nightmare that is the Social Security Office. I thought it would be a good idea that while I waited, I could start reading this book. I found myself smiling and nodding my head while I dived deeper into Esther's life and her job as an intern in a prominent magazine in New York, and later her depression. I knew little about the book and about Plath before reading the book. However, I was immediately captivated by the style of writing and the flow of the book.
While in New York, Esther finds herself out of place. She hopes to return to Massachusetts and take a writing course, only to find out that she was not accepted for the course. She wants to write a book, but thinks she lacks world experience. She wants to be a scholar and is unsure what to do after she finish college. The stereotypical choices for her in those times, motherhood or stenography, does not appeal to her.
It is with that predicament, that Esther starts to become increasingly depressed and is unable to sleep nor write. She is institutionalized and receives eletroconvulsive therapy. She gets worse and attempts suicide various times. At the end, through various life-changing events, she slowly starts to regain her sanity and independence.
While in New York, Esther finds herself out of place. She hopes to return to Massachusetts and take a writing course, only to find out that she was not accepted for the course. She wants to write a book, but thinks she lacks world experience. She wants to be a scholar and is unsure what to do after she finish college. The stereotypical choices for her in those times, motherhood or stenography, does not appeal to her.
It is with that predicament, that Esther starts to become increasingly depressed and is unable to sleep nor write. She is institutionalized and receives eletroconvulsive therapy. She gets worse and attempts suicide various times. At the end, through various life-changing events, she slowly starts to regain her sanity and independence.
I am very glad I read this book, and I'll be on the lookout for Plath's poetry. If you haven't read 'The Bell Jar', I highly recommend it.
Lisa Simpson also reading 'The Bell Jar'
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