Book Review: The Bell Jar
Captivating and confusing from the beginning...
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JoeUser Forums
Book Review: The Bell Jar
Captivating and confusing from the beginning, "The Bell Jar," allows one to slip from scene to scene, often times not in any sort of order, in Esther Greenwood's abstract and dark life. As she moves from asylum to asylum doo people come and go in her life. She has many emotions, which the author portrays clearly, and rides a spiraling path downward.
"I had missed a perfectly good chance. The river water passed me by like an untouched drink. I suspected that if my mother and brother had not been there I would have made no move to jump." *
Esther is a confused young woman, confused as many of us may be at times. But it's almost as if her confusing and frustration is taking to a deeper level, and almost nuetral ground. She becomes depressed and unable to read or write. She sees therapists and visits numerous mental institues and physiatrists.
The author, Sylvia Plath, who published this novel in 1971, depicts the emotions and feelings of her characters well through the use of many adjectives; ones that leave the reader feeling connected. Plath is detailed and although no major plot is established, the reader somehow grasps the complexion of Esther's character. Albeit, at times it may be difficult to follow the general changes of the story.
Just as a bell jar surrounds a porcelien doll, a type of Bell Jar hangs over Esther's fragile being like something inescapable.
There's a capturing, uncommon enigma that draws one into Esther's life, but leaves something to be desired with a considerably inconclusive ending.
~Sarah
*excerpt from "The Bell Jar"
Captivating and confusing from the beginning, "The Bell Jar," allows one to slip from scene to scene, often times not in any sort of order, in Esther Greenwood's abstract and dark life. As she moves from asylum to asylum doo people come and go in her life. She has many emotions, which the author portrays clearly, and rides a spiraling path downward.
"I had missed a perfectly good chance. The river water passed me by like an untouched drink. I suspected that if my mother and brother had not been there I would have made no move to jump." *
Esther is a confused young woman, confused as many of us may be at times. But it's almost as if her confusing and frustration is taking to a deeper level, and almost nuetral ground. She becomes depressed and unable to read or write. She sees therapists and visits numerous mental institues and physiatrists.
The author, Sylvia Plath, who published this novel in 1971, depicts the emotions and feelings of her characters well through the use of many adjectives; ones that leave the reader feeling connected. Plath is detailed and although no major plot is established, the reader somehow grasps the complexion of Esther's character. Albeit, at times it may be difficult to follow the general changes of the story.
Just as a bell jar surrounds a porcelien doll, a type of Bell Jar hangs over Esther's fragile being like something inescapable.
There's a capturing, uncommon enigma that draws one into Esther's life, but leaves something to be desired with a considerably inconclusive ending.
~Sarah
*excerpt from "The Bell Jar"
Stardock Forums
. I like much of the writing here. Especially your quote from above. The trouble with The Bell Jar is that Sylvia never intended it to become great literature, and somehow (due to the huge legend of the tragic author perhaps?) the novel has ended up becoming a minor classic, and is studied far and wide now in so many high schools and universities, etc.
I love how you always say that... whenever I hear it, I think of you. lol