My Review

A story that begins with glamour and beauty slowly descends into doom and despair. There are so many layers to a person that a seemingly perfect life may have so many imperfections lying hidden.

Esther Greenwood is a woman who is living a life that could make other women jealous, being a guest editor of a fashion magazine. And yet she isn’t satisfied with her work.

Esther’s is unlike anyone I’ve met or read about before. She wants to be a poet. She is witty and intelligent, but convincingly deceitful at times. And her power to emote is all over the place. She doesn’t want to get married or have children, because she feels she doesn’t have that tender, caring nature necessary for that kind of life. She hates her mother. She thinks about ending her life all the time and makes two unsuccessful attempts.  

The Bell jar in the title signifies what Esther believes is a glass dome that covers every mentally ill person restricting them to a world of their own, that has turned foul because of the limited air. Her experiences with shock treatment and therapy were frightening and shocking.

Mental Health is a serious issue, and like you go see a doctor if you are physically unfit, you must see an expert if you feel mentally unfit. The Bell Jar is a powerful narrative through the mind of a depressed person. You can see Esther’s downfall right before your eyes and that will hopefully help you recognize the signs in your loved ones and take corrective action before it’s too late.

It is also a novel that ends on a positive note offering hope that no matter how severe depression affects people, people can get better and live a fulfilling life.

It was widely believed that The Bell Jar is less fiction and more autobiographical because Sylvia Plath committed suicide one month after publishing this book.