Esther’s mental state deteriorates as she returns to her hometown, where she lives with her mother, a widow who works as a teacher. Esther learns that she has been rejected from a writing course that she had applied for, and that she has no other prospects for the summer. She tries to write a novel, but she finds herself unable to produce anything. She also loses interest in everything that used to give her pleasure, such as reading, swimming, and dating. She becomes increasingly depressed, anxious, and suicidal, and makes several attempts to end her life.
Esther is eventually hospitalized and diagnosed with schizophrenia. She undergoes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is supposed to cure her depression, but it only makes her feel worse. She is then transferred to a private mental institution, where she is treated by Dr. Nolan, a female psychiatrist who is more sympathetic and understanding than her previous doctors. Dr. Nolan helps Esther to confront her fears and insecurities, and to accept her sexuality and independence. She also prescribes her more effective medication and therapy, which gradually improve her mood and outlook.
Esther’s recovery is also aided by her interactions with other patients in the institution, who become her friends and confidants. Among them are Joan Gilling, a lesbian who was Esther’s classmate and Buddy’s ex-girlfriend, and Valerie, a former model who had a lobotomy. Esther learns from their stories and perspectives, and realizes that she is not alone in her suffering and struggle.
The novel ends with Esther preparing for an interview with a panel of doctors, who will decide if she is ready to leave the institution and resume her normal life. She feels hopeful and optimistic, but also nervous and uncertain. She wonders if she will ever be free from the bell jar, the metaphor she uses to describe her sense of suffocation and isolation, and if she will ever be able to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Characters
The main characters of The Bell Jar are:
- Esther Greenwood: The protagonist and narrator of the novel. She is a smart, talented, and ambitious young woman who wants to be a writer, but she suffers from depression and suicidal thoughts. She feels trapped and oppressed by the social and cultural expectations of women in the 1950s, and by her own insecurities and doubts. She undergoes a mental breakdown and a journey of recovery, during which she discovers her true self and values.
- Buddy Willard: Esther’s boyfriend and former fiancé. He is a medical student who contracts tuberculosis and has to stay in a sanatorium. He is conventional, conservative, and hypocritical, and he represents everything that Esther rejects and resents. He tries to control and manipulate Esther, and to make her conform to his ideal of womanhood.
- Dr. Nolan: Esther’s psychiatrist at the private mental institution. She is a kind, compassionate, and competent woman, who becomes Esther’s mentor and role model. She helps Esther to overcome her depression and to embrace her sexuality and independence. She is one of the few positive female figures in Esther’s life.
- Joan Gilling: Esther’s friend and fellow patient at the institution. She is a lesbian who was Esther’s classmate and Buddy’s ex-girlfriend. She admires and imitates Esther, and she tries to form a romantic relationship with her. She commits suicide by hanging herself, which shocks and saddens Esther, but also makes her realize that she does not want to die.
- Mrs. Greenwood: Esther’s mother. She is a widow who works as a teacher to support herself and Esther. She loves Esther, but she does not understand her or her aspirations. She is practical, conventional, and religious, and she wants Esther to be the same. She disapproves of Esther’s career choice, and she blames herself for Esther’s illness.
Themes
The main themes of The Bell Jar are:
- Mental illness: The novel depicts the causes, symptoms, and treatments of depression and schizophrenia, as well as the stigma and discrimination that people with mental disorders face. It also shows how mental illness affects not only the individual, but also their family, friends, and society. The novel challenges the stereotypes and myths about mental illness, and advocates for more awareness and compassion for people who suffer from it.
- Feminism: The novel critiques the patriarchal and sexist society of the 1950s, which limits and oppresses women’s choices and opportunities. It exposes the double standards and inequalities that women face in education, work, marriage, and sexuality. It also celebrates the women who resist and rebel against the norms and expectations that are imposed on them, and who pursue their own dreams and desires. The novel encourages women to be independent, creative, and assertive, and to challenge the status quo.
- Identity: The novel explores the question of who Esther is, and who she wants to be. It shows how Esther’s identity is shaped by her family, friends, culture, and experiences, but also by her own thoughts, feelings, and actions. It shows how Esther struggles to find her place and voice in a world that does not value or respect her. It also shows how Esther changes and grows as a person, as she learns from her mistakes and successes, and as she discovers her true self and values.
Legacy and Impact
The Bell Jar is widely considered a masterpiece of literature, and a landmark of feminist and autobiographical writing. It has influenced and inspired many writers and artists, such as Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Sylvia Townsend Warner, and Lena Dunham. It has also been adapted into various media, such as film, television, theater, and opera.
