The Bell Jar Paper

Submitted By freeman1380
Words: 1477
Pages: 6
Open Document
A sense of individuality is essential for surviving the numerous emotional and physical obstacles encountered in daily life. A unique identity is perhaps one of the only true characteristics that defines an individual and is definitely a key principle for understanding and responding to one's atmosphere. In "The Bell Jar," Esther battles not only a deteriorating mental stability, but also lacks a sense of individuality. Esther is a young, sensitive and intelligent woman who feels oppressed by the obvious social restrictions placed upon women, and the pressure she feels regarding her future. Undoubtedly these emotional burdens result not only in Esther's social and intellectual isolation, but also her impending mental breakdown. Clearly, Esther is deeply troubled by the hypocritical and often vicious world encompassing her, and feels overwhelmed and powerless to break free of her inner world of alienation. Instead of firmly establishing a genuine sense of self, Esther adopts and scrutinizes the images and personalities of the women in her life, which neither fit nor reflect her legitimate character.

Throughout the novel Esther is faced with numerous possibilities regarding her future aspirations. Although she is an extremely perceptive and bright woman, Esther has no sense of imminent direction, and instead imagines herself becoming and achieving an abundance of successes simultaneously. Upon meeting her boss, Jay Cee, Esther is immediately impressed with her flourishing balance of a career and marriage, and begins to imagine herself attaining similar achievements:

"I tried to imagine what it would be like if I were Cee...Cee, the famous editor, in an office full of potted rubber plants and African violets my secretary had to water each morning." (Plath 36)

Esther idolizes Jay Cee for her wisdom and prosperity, however, she is indecisive and paranoid about choosing a single path to follow in life. Esther envisions her life as a fig tree in which she cannot choose a single branch:

"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree...I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig-tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet." (Plath 73)

Jay Cee symbolizes the urbane and polished accomplishments which Esther desperately wishes to embody, despite her inability to resolve on striving for a particular aim. She eventually learns of Esther's incompetent decisiveness as she states: "She wants...to be everything" (Plath 97). As a scholarship recipient, Esther feels obligated to impress everyone, and live up to the standards which the outside world has placed upon her. Consequently, Esther drives herself to a state of utter depression and disillusionment, feeling that she could not possibly measure up to the standards expected of her. Even while institutionaized Esther cannot escape from the intense pressure of her visitors: "I kept feeling the visitors measuring my fat and stringy hair against what I had been and what they wanted me to be". Detached and isolated from her inner self, Esther focuses her hopes and dreams on the anticipations of others. In my opinion, Esther exists in a perceptive and cerebral world which consequently segregates her from many social aspects in her life. Essentially an outcast, Esther's numerous attempts at social conformity fail, as her image of herself is incomplete and contradictory. Esther views herself as a pure and naive "good girl", and feels exhilarated while experimenting with Doreen's lifestyle. She sees Doreen as a worldly, sophisticated, clever and experienced "bad girl", and is enchanted at the prospect of constant emotional and sexual freedom. As Esther states: "...being with Doreen made me
Show More

Related Documents: The Bell Jar Paper

The Bell Jar Semester Paper

April 2014 THE MYSTERIOUS DARKNESS: THE REASON WHY ESTHER GREENWOOD CAN’T “BE NORMAL” Normalcy is defined in the dictionary as the condition of being normal; the state of being usual, typical, or expected. The character of Esther Greenwood in The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath penetrates the boundaries of being normal. Esther’s story is more than the pursuit for sexual freedom that many claim it to be. Her story is a silent call for help. But why does Esther need help? There is evidence to support the theory…

Words 3632 - Pages 15

Sylvia Plath: Final Project Proposal

parents and her husband for her suicide. Feminists argued that Plath was oppressed, as a daughter, wife and a mother. Plath’s poems and other writings portray images that are quite harsh and disturbing but shine light on the other side of life. In this paper, I will argue that Sylvia Plath holds a significant place in American literature because she dared to use personal topics such as womanhood, individual suffering and the certainty of death and expressed them through the use of bold metaphors and stark…

Words 766 - Pages 4

Essay about Hitler: Analysis Amy Lowell

and withdraw. Flare of sunshine down side-streets. Eddies of light in the windows of chemists’ shops, with their blue, gold, purple jars, darting colors far into the crowd. Loud bangs and tremors, murmurings out of high windows, whirling of machine belts, blurring of horses and motors. A quick spin and shudder of brakes on an electric car, and the jar of a church bell knocking against the metal blue of the sky. I am a piece of the town, a bit of blown dust, thrust along with the crowd. Proud to feel…

Words 600 - Pages 3

No Words Came Out Sylvia Plath Analysis

Virtually incapable of action, she has become a helpless object. The piece of stiff paper or parchment, to which she feels a resemblance, becomes blank, firm, and mute, such as a decaying corpse. In addition, the electric current of her treatments represents her loss of the ability to remember or focus. 215 After her suicide attempt, she realizes she represents, not writing on a piece of paper, but the subtext within a narrative. She perceived herself as something withheld from the page…

Words 517 - Pages 3

Vitamin C Lab Report

OBJECT: To determine the presence of Vitamin C by number of many methods. INTRODUCTION: Vitamin C is powerful antioxidant and it is also known as ascorbic acid and found mostly in fruits and vegetables it helps the body form and maintain connective tissue including bone, blood vessel and skin. Most experts recommended that Vitamin C from a diet high in fruits and vegetables rather than taking supplements. Fresh squeezed orange juice or fresh frozen concentrate is better pick than ready to drink orange…

Words 1511 - Pages 7

A Note On Summer Recipe

then cover and refrigerate until chilled. Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water. Lemonade Punch Makes 22 servings 1 can frozen pink lemonade concentrate 1 jar maraschino cherries 2 cans frozen pink lemonade concentrate 1 bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage 1 bottle red wine 1 orange, sliced 1 lemon, sliced In a pitcher, mix together 1 can lemonade with 1 can of water. Pour mixture into an ice…

Words 3042 - Pages 13

My Essay

to. Simple Meatless Lasagna Ingredients: Serves 8 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, | 10 oz packages chopped frozen spinach, | 1⁄2 onion, chopped | 1⁄2 tsp dried oregano, | 1⁄2 tsp dried basil, | 2 clove garlic, crushed | 32 oz jar spaghetti sauce, | 1 1⁄2 cup water, | 2 cup non-fat cottage cheese, | 8 oz package part skim milk mozzarella cheese, shredded | 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, grated | 1⁄2 cup fresh parsley, chopped | 1 tsp salt, | 1⁄8 tsp black pepper…

Words 3380 - Pages 14

The Importance Of Belonging

HSC Subject Guide Belonging 2009 HSC: Area of Study – English - related material English HSC 2009 - 2012 is Belonging. What does belonging mean? From the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus: belong, verb, 1) to be rightly put into a particular position or class; 2) fit or be acceptable in a particular place or environment; 3) belong to be a member of; 4) belong to be the property or possession of. Belonging, noun, affiliation, acceptance, association, attachment, integration, closeness, rapport,…

Words 4133 - Pages 17

Top of the Class: Communication, Miscommunication and Learning Essay

These abilities have led to incredible success among these animals in the wild and they have survived for millions of years as fairly solitary, soft-bodied animals in environments with voracious predators and complex circumstances (Vitti). This paper reviews communication methods and learning in octopuses and cuttlefishes. 2. Systematics and evolutionary context The presence of mollusks has been dated back to the early Paleozoic Era, more than 500 million years ago (invert notes)…

Words 8143 - Pages 33

Year 11 Visual Art Report Essay

Wonner was born in Tucson, Arizona on the 24th of April, 1920. He is a famous American artist, who is best known for his abstract expressionist still life paintings. He had a great passion on focusing most of his work on small, delicate objects such as jars, vases, fruits, flowers or furniture. Paul expressed early interest in visual arts since his childhood years. Therefore, his parents hired him a private tutor that assists him to develop his artistic drawings and senses during high school. After his…

Words 4451 - Pages 18