The Bell Jar: A Timeless Tale of Mental Illness and Feminism

Diksia.com - The Bell Jar is the only novel written by the American writer and poet Sylvia Plath. It was first published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, shortly before Plath’s suicide. The novel is widely regarded as a semi-autobiographical work, as it follows the experiences of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who suffers from depression and attempts suicide. The novel also reflects Plath’s own struggles with mental illness, as well as her views on the role and expectations of women in the 1950s.

The Bell Jar is often considered a classic of feminist literature, as it challenges the stereotypes and norms that limit women’s choices and opportunities. The novel also explores the themes of identity, creativity, and alienation, as Esther tries to find her place and voice in a society that does not value her aspirations and talents. The novel is written in a witty and engaging style, with vivid descriptions and sharp insights into the human condition.

In this article, we will examine the plot, characters, and themes of The Bell Jar, as well as its legacy and impact on modern culture. We will also discuss why The Bell Jar is still relevant and important today, especially for young women who face similar pressures and challenges as Esther.

Plot Summary

The novel is set in the summer of 1953, when Esther Greenwood, a 19-year-old college student from Massachusetts, wins a prestigious internship at a women’s magazine in New York City. She hopes that this opportunity will launch her career as a writer, but she soon realizes that the glamorous and exciting life she imagined is not what it seems. She feels bored and disillusioned by the superficial and trivial tasks she has to do, and by the shallow and competitive people she meets. She also feels out of place and lonely in the big city, and unable to connect with anyone or anything.

Esther’s dissatisfaction with her life is compounded by her memories of her boyfriend, Buddy Willard, who is recovering from tuberculosis in a sanatorium. Buddy is a medical student who plans to marry Esther after he graduates, but Esther is not sure if she loves him or wants to be his wife. She resents him for lying to her about his sexual experience, and for expecting her to be a submissive and domesticated woman. She also feels betrayed by him for getting sick and ruining their plans for the future.

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.

The Bell Jar is also a powerful and relatable work for many readers, especially young women who face similar pressures and challenges as Esther. It offers a realistic and honest portrayal of mental illness and feminism, as well as a hopeful and empowering message of survival and transformation. It resonates with people who feel misunderstood, marginalized, or oppressed by society, and who seek to find their own identity and voice.

The Bell Jar is a timeless and universal tale of human experience, that speaks to the past, present, and future generations.

Conclusion

The Bell Jar is a novel by Sylvia Plath that explores the themes of mental illness and feminism in the 1950s. It follows the story of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who suffers from depression and attempts suicide, and who tries to find her place and voice in a society that does not value her aspirations and talents. The novel is a semi-autobiographical work, as it reflects Plath’s own struggles with mental illness, as well as her views on the role and expectations of women in the 1950s.

The novel is a classic of literature, and a landmark of feminist and autobiographical writing. It has influenced and inspired many writers and artists, and it has been adapted into various media. It is also a powerful and relatable work for many readers, especially young women who face similar pressures and challenges as Esther. It offers a realistic and honest portrayal of mental illness and feminism, as well as a hopeful and empowering message of survival and transformation. It resonates with people who feel misunderstood, marginalized, or oppressed by society, and who seek to find their own identity and voice.